A Crisis of Faith

     George Mueller wrote, “God delights to increase the faith of His children...I say, and say it deliberately—trials, difficulties and sometimes defeat, are the very food of faith.  We should take them out of His hands as evidences of His love and care for us in developing more and more that faith which He is seeking to strengthen in us.”

     When we come to the place in our lives that we want to experience God, specifically, we want to see God-sized things happen (thing for which only God could get the credit), we will experience a crisis of faith; we will be test as to confidence in God’s leading and our resolved to be obedient.

     But Paul reminds us in Romans 5 that since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.  Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege (or grace) where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.  Then Paul goes on to address our reaction to difficulties in life.  He reminds us that we can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  Endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  This hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.   James reminds us that when our faith is tested, our endurance has a chance to grow. (James 1:3)  The Amplified Bible renders James 1:3 as follows: Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

     Resolve to allow God to prepare you for these God-sized experiences for which only God can be glorified and receive praise.