The Testing of Our Faith
Monday, May 18, 2015 by Unknown
What was the prominent theme of the Puritans?
The testing of their faith...
And it seems to be the same today, doesn't it?
You may ask, "Where is GOD in my suffering?"
or
"Why would GOD allow this and seem so far removed from my pain?'
"Does HE even care?"
Look with me at Luke 8:22-25 for some clarification.
So imagine with me this great event. These men were feet away from the Lord of Lords! They saw Him do many miraculous things and still they feared and thought He didn't care for them. You and I are tragically in the same place when we question where God is in our circumstance. For some reason, when we are tempted to fear we do what non-Christians do, they panic! But wait...WE are different!
We are saved.
We are redeemed.
We have been given the gift of faith.
Why are we doubting the Lord's love and attention in our lives?
We don't actively use this gift! We hang it on the shelf and hope in our moment of crisis it will actively come alive! It doesn't do that, does it?
Think about what Jesus said to them. "Where is your faith?"
These men allowed their circumstance to dictate their faith...
No, no, no. Let's see this as an example of what not to do!
We are to TRUST. To BELIEVE that God knows what's best and that He is working everything out for His glory!
We are to say, "I may not understand this pain, this situation, but I know my God. He is good. He sent Jesus to die in my place because of His great love for me. So even though this is so PAINFUL, I'm trusting Him! And then you...
STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH.
Do not be swayed by ideas that come into your head.
"This is too hard," you say. "I just can't do this anymore." Doesn't God get it?"
He does. AND...He's there. He loves you. Run to Him today and pray, "Lord I believe. Help my unbelief!"
and watch Him work.
The testing of their faith...
And it seems to be the same today, doesn't it?
You may ask, "Where is GOD in my suffering?"
or
"Why would GOD allow this and seem so far removed from my pain?'
"Does HE even care?"
Look with me at Luke 8:22-25 for some clarification.
Jesus Calms the Storm
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, He fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” He asked His disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
So imagine with me this great event. These men were feet away from the Lord of Lords! They saw Him do many miraculous things and still they feared and thought He didn't care for them. You and I are tragically in the same place when we question where God is in our circumstance. For some reason, when we are tempted to fear we do what non-Christians do, they panic! But wait...WE are different!
We are saved.
We are redeemed.
We have been given the gift of faith.
Why are we doubting the Lord's love and attention in our lives?
We don't actively use this gift! We hang it on the shelf and hope in our moment of crisis it will actively come alive! It doesn't do that, does it?
Think about what Jesus said to them. "Where is your faith?"
These men allowed their circumstance to dictate their faith...
No, no, no. Let's see this as an example of what not to do!
We are to TRUST. To BELIEVE that God knows what's best and that He is working everything out for His glory!
We are to say, "I may not understand this pain, this situation, but I know my God. He is good. He sent Jesus to die in my place because of His great love for me. So even though this is so PAINFUL, I'm trusting Him! And then you...
STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH.
Do not be swayed by ideas that come into your head.
"This is too hard," you say. "I just can't do this anymore." Doesn't God get it?"
He does. AND...He's there. He loves you. Run to Him today and pray, "Lord I believe. Help my unbelief!"
and watch Him work.
