Whether a relatively small thing like traffic, or something bigger like life-threatening illnesses, or accidents, or other troubles, God uses the stuff of life to try our faith, even increase it. The faith that He grants to us by grace is a powerful faith. It can stand the tests because the God in whom we trust is powerful. Nothing is too hard for Him. Yet even with this faith and this amazing God, there are times when we tremble and wonder during those tests. Sometimes the people of God even complain.
Moses said to the LORD, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?” (Numbers 11:11)Moses was leading a reluctant group of people out of slavery and into a land that God had promised them. Their attitude was definitely a patience-developer for Moses as God tested his faith. The man struggled, but God was faithful to him and gave him a solution to this problem.
Spurgeon says that a strong and mature faith will stand the tests. Gilt melts in fire, but gold is purified. A fake gem crumbles under pressure, but a diamond crushes whatever tries it.
Metaphors aside, he also points out that a poor faith only trusts God when friends are true, or the body is healthy, and the bank balance is the same. A mature faith can hang on to God’s faithfulness when friends are gone, when I’m sick, or depressed, or it seems as if God has vanished.
That heaven-born faith is strong, yet sometimes becomes mixed with fear or complaining. The Old Testament man named Job lost everything. At times he wailed and wondered what God was doing, but his faith also said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15, KJV).
The most amazing thing is that God’s people tend to glorify God more in our afflictions than we do in our prosperity. When we can love those who attack us, are at peace when everyone frets, and have joy when our world falls apart, those around us see the grace of God in us. When “we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame," (Romans 5:3–5), the Lord is honored by these growing virtues.
Spurgeon says that we would never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched, nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress. We would not discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten, nor feel the warmth of fire if the coals were not utterly consumed.
This is true, but God’s wisdom and power are also discovered in my trials, when they are happening. Current afflictions may heighten future joy, but they cannot diminish the joy of the Holy Spirit that stays with me even in those afflictions. Our God is an awesome God.
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Jesus, if I gripe about anything from congested traffic to a head cold, I need to remember that this life is a test of faith, and that the faith You give me is adequate for any test. One day, I will be with You and not experience the trials of life. That thought alone is enough to bring a smile in the midst of a traffic snarl and joy to my heart — no matter what else might be happening. Knowing You is enough. I am blessed.(Photo credit)
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