God’s Children have Faith

As children of God, we have faith. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

The Strength of Faith Wavers

However, the strength of our faith varies. I would like to be consistently strong in my faith, looking steadfastly at my Lord, and unwavering in my walk.

HA!

Sometimes I seem able to view the circumstances of my life through a eternal lens, knowing the Lord is there, that He has given me what I need to live a godly life, and that He will bring good out of the events. Other times, I focus on my own issues and feelings, and too often feel sorry for myself, and behave poorly. Alas.

My faith wavers with the waves of life.

I am so grateful God’s Word shows us the fallibility of His people. It encourages me to know I’m not alone in this struggle.

Peter Walked on Water–For a Moment

Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28–31)

Enough Faith

Peter had enough faith to ask Jesus to tell him to come to Him, walking on the water.

Peter had enough faith to get out of the boat.

Peter had enough faith to start walking on the water towards Jesus.

Sinking

But, then, Peter looked at the wind and took his eyes off Jesus.

Once he looked away from Jesus, he became frightened and began to sink.

Enough Faith

But Peter had enough faith to ask the Lord to save him. And the Lord did.

What to Learn and Apply

That could be a story of my life, just with different details. I might start strong and sink later.

What I want to learn—and apply—from this is:

1. Always ask the Lord for guidance, for provision.
2. Get started, looking to Him.
3. Keep going, looking to Him.
4. Don’t get distracted by the wind and waves.

What to do

When you are in the midst of wind and waves:

Look to the Lord.

How do you lose one shoe?

When I was in kindergarten and first few grades (ok…maybe longer), I remember frantically running around the house hunting for … one shoe. I’d have the other one on.

My mom laughed about it later, but I’m sure it was an irritant at the time. “How do you lose one shoe?”

You lose one shoe the same way you lose your way… by not paying attention. I’m sure I’d get home from school and be focused on whatever I wanted to do (which did not involve shoes). I’d be on my way to wherever, tossing my shoes as I went.

How often do I do that sort of thing now?

The Bible is full of admonitions to keep alert, be on guard, be watchful, be awake.

Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42)

Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41)

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Practice being Alert

We must practice becoming aware of our thinking, and directing our focus where it belongs. I should have thought a half second about putting both shoes where I could find them.

Spiritually, I need to practice being on the alert day-by-day, moment-by-moment,

Alert against sin, temptation, and false teachers,

Actively alert in prayer, and

Joyfully alert for His coming.

Where do you put yourself on the “Alert” meter?

Christmas is the favorite holiday for many, both secular and Christian. It can be a joyous time, celebrating the Word made flesh, and dwelling among us. (See John 1:1-14)

Christmas, however, was a time of Christ’s humiliation. He humbled Himself, took the form of a bond-servant, and was made in the likeness of man (Philippians 2:6-7).

Then He humbled Himself by being obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8).

Christ’s obedience at Christmas and throughout His life on earth resulted in His exaltation…but not until later. Thirty-three years later.

A Son was Given

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Born in Humiliation

Jesus was born in a stable to poor parents. He was rejected by His people. He was accused of being illegitimate. He was accused of having a demon.

He created us and then allowed us to mock Him, spit on Him, scourge Him, crucify Him.

He died for us.

And our own sins were part of the reason.

Our Lord, our God, was treated abysmally. That isn’t a strong enough word.

This should hurt us.

The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me. (Romans 15:3)

He was and is God

Jesus Christ was eternal, almighty God before His birth. Jesus Christ was God throughout His time on earth. Jesus Christ is God now, seated at the right hand of the Father.

He gave up His rights and privileges as God in order to become man. He gave up His independent exercise of being God and submitted Himself to the Father. He gave up His glory in order to serve the Father and us…and to die so that those who believe in Him might live.

A time to rejoice

Christmas is truly a time to rejoice. But, remember, Christ was born in order to die for us. His birth meant His humiliation.

Sing for Joy

The last week before my mother’s death, my brother, sister-in-law, and I (with visits from her grandchildren) sat by her bed. I would read the Bible to her, especially the Psalms, not certain if she could hear me, but trusting. And, of course, the Lord spoke to me as I read.

During this sobering time, Psalm 63:7 was especially meaningful: “For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.”

The Lord was there with us, and, because He was there, He was sheltering me and I was able to sing for joy.

This is not to say that death is something to celebrate, because it is an enemy.

“The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26)

But in the midst of loss and pain, I was able–I am able–to retreat under His wings … and sing for joy.

I picture being under a deep covered porch, looking out at a fierce storm, and protected from the awful weather.

I am so grateful He showed this to me in the midst of the trial. When you are in the middle of sorrow, He shelters you.

Will you rejoice?

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

What to do

1. Remember His promises:

He is with you.

He will never forsake you.

He will help you.

He will protect you.

2. As vividly as you can, picture being safe, dry, and warm under His wing. This helps translate head knowledge to heart knowledge.
3. Sing! You may croak as I did rather than sing. But sing! Whatever the trial, we have a loving, sovereign Father who is with us and will bring us through.

SING!

“Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it.”

An NFL analyst-broadcaster-ex-coach recently said this, but that thought is commonly recited as truth.

The phrase is only half right. Adversity does reveal character. But hardship also can build character.

Adversity Reveals Character

Character underlies all you are and all you do. While it is possible to put your “best face” forward, bad times often expose a person’s heart, their true character.

The greater the problem, the more your true nature is revealed. If the person is a bitter, angry person at heart, the harder the test, the more the person will be shown to be bitter and angry. If the person responds to a crisis with resilience, compassion, and hope, you also see the condition of their heart.

For the Christian, adversity reveals the strength of your faith. If a trial comes and you collapse, you discover your belief in and reliance on the Lord must be strengthened.

For the Christian, through adversity, God mercifully shows us our weaknesses, and goads us to growth.

On the other hand, if a trial demonstrates your faith in God, you encourage others, and prove to yourself your faith is genuine. Your strong response to adversity helps you navigate the next hardship.

Adversity Can Build Character

“That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.”

Secular studies show that adversity can build character, but that not everyone grows following a difficulty. One study found that some adversity builds character, but that high levels of adversity may not have a positive effect.

For the Christian, however, adversity builds character. Period.

How do I know?

The Bible says so!

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3–5)

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4)

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” (1 Peter 1:6–7)

Adversity is Something God is Doing FOR Us

Trials are a mean to an end (see the above verses for the benefits of trials). God uses trials as a tool to make us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

I rejoice that my faith has been proven to me (and to others) through my trials. I lost my job. I had significant trouble with both eyes. How I handled those problems testified to others my faith in God’s love and power. Adversity revealed my faith. But adversity also built my faith. I am able to remember God’s faithfulness during those trials and know, absolutely know, He will be with me in the next one. I know, because of His love, power, and grace, I will come through.