Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.   Hebrews 11:6 HCSB

We are told in Hebrews 11:1 that faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. Verse 3 says by faith we understand the universe was created by God’s command, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.

It’s easy to say that we have faith. As Christians we should adhere to 2 Corinthians 5:7 which says we walk by faith and not by sight. Because remember faith is the proof of what is not seen. Walking in faith can be scary at times. But it is how we are expected to live our lives.  Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us that we are to trust the LORD with all our heart and not rely on our own understanding. We are to acknowledge Him in all our ways, and He will guide us on the right paths.

But what about the times when our faith gets tested? What about the time when the test result is not what you had hoped for? What about when we are sick and feeling horrible? What about when it feels like an army is coming against us? What about when someone is coming against our children?

Hebrews 11 is called the Hall of Faith because it defines faith for us, it tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. It also gives us a number of people from the Old Testament who walked in faith through some very trying times. It speaks of Noah who built an ark in an area that had never seen rain. It speaks of Abraham who left his homeland to follow wherever God would lead. It speaks of how Abraham did not hesitate when God told him to sacrifice Isaac, but he trusted God completely even if it meant raising Isaac from the dead. It speaks of Sarah’s faith who conceived a child and was able to nurse him even in her old age. It spoke of the faith of Isaac when he blessed Jacob and Esau. It spoke of Joseph’s faith. It speaks of Moses’ great faith and many others.

I’ve often heard it said that you are either just coming out of a trial, in the midst of a trial or about to go through a trial. James 1:2 says that we should consider it great joy whenever we experience various trials knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance. James tells us this is how mature Christians are made. The term growing pains comes to mind here.

I don’t know that I would consider myself mature by any stretch of the imagination, but I am trying to be. I strive to be what God wants me to be. I have experienced a number of growing pains in the last 8 years beginning with the loss of my dad. Since that time, I have ridden a roller coaster of trials and tribulations. I can honestly say that these trials have served as learning experiences. And one thing I have learned is that staying close to God through the trials and through the good times makes those bad times a little easier. Trusting in Him through the good and the bad give me a sense of security.

Isaiah warned the Israelites that if they refused to change their ways, they were going to suffer captivity. But he also told them of God’s restoration. In 43:2 he told them that God promised to be with them when they passed through the waters and the rivers, and they will not be overwhelmed. He assured them that when they walked through fire the flame would not burn them. As God’s children, we can trust that God will walk with us through the flood and the fire.

Whatever we are going through, we can trust in God to walk with us. We can trust in Him to bring us safely through to the other side. We must trust in Him. We must honor Him in all that we say and do. Matthew 6:33 tells us to focus on God and trust Him to take care of the rest.

In 1 Peter 5:5-7 we are told to humble ourselves towards each other because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, we should humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt us at the proper time, casting all our care on Him because He cares about us.

When the going gets tough, trust in Him.

Have a great weekend!