Feb 07, 2011 A Safe Place for Faith to Rest
Originally posted on April 1, 2004
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
What are you going through right now that is testing and stretching your faith? Whatever it is, don’t run from it. We can never outrun trouble, obstacles, or difficulties. What makes these seasons of trial and challenge productive is finding the safe place for our faith to rest.
When we are in faith stretching places, where do we seek assurance that we will make it through? Most of the time we look to others to get us through, then we get disappointed and hurt. Or, we look to ourselves to take care of things and guarantee a positive outcome. While taking responsibility for ourselves and for our actions is the mature thing to do, even here we can get off track. By taking responsibility we can erroneously believe we are in control of all events and all outcomes. We simply do not have this kind of power.
So, where does our faith rest when it is being tried, stretched, and tested? In the ability of God to do the good in us He has planned and is committed to do. What is that good? To build our faith so we will love Him more supremely, know His love for us more deeply, and express His love to others more generously. He is able to do this! This is where our faith rests.
The greatest one-liner I have tried to remember lately is, “God is not going to orchestrate events in my life that do not require faith.” The greatest biblical truth that makes that statement encouraging rather than despairing is that my faith rests in God’s ability to do for more that I can ask or think.
Walking by faith with you,
Pastor Scott