I attended a boarding school in Nigeria where the older students ruled over all of us younger students. Once, I misplaced a bowl that belonged to a rather cranky older student. Having been given the ultimatum to find and return the bowl by the next morning, I crawled into bed with a heart full of dread. I whispered a prayer asking God for help before dropping into a troubled sleep. Imagine my awe the next day when the bowl mysteriously showed up in the student’s drawer!
The Israelites must have experienced far greater awe when God parted the Red Sea for them to walk through and then defeated Pharaoh and his army by means of the same waters (Exodus 14:15-28; Hebrews 11:29). They sang to the Lord with joy-filled hearts about the glorious triumph they had witnessed (Exodus 15:1-21). For the first time, they must have embraced their freedom, knowing that slavery was now truly in their past. Yet in a short while they were complaining about bitter water (Exodus 15:24), and later they worshiped a golden calf instead of God as their deliverer (Exodus 32:4).
Encountering God’s intervention in life can be a thrilling experience. I couldn’t wait to tell everyone about my “miracle” bowl, just as the Israelites broke out in song over God’s greatness. But what happens when answers to prayer aren’t so rapid or visible? Does God seem just as reliable, and are we still willing to trust Him—or do we seek other gods?
True faith can be enhanced by mountaintop experiences. And as the writer of Hebrews wrote, “It is impossible to please God without faith” (Hebrews 11:6). But the faith that pleases God is based on things that aren’t visible (Hebrews 11:1). Real faith helps us trust in the God who holds on to us.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 25:31-46
More:
Read 1 Peter 1:6-9 and consider how real faith is tested and refined.
Next:
How has God grown your faith through mountaintop experiences as well as difficult times in life? How can you seek to know God more intimately—to revel in His presence regardless of circumstances?
Gary Shultz on September 10, 2016 at 4:46 am
Hi Remi, the Hebrew’s verses captured it for me. We must believe God exists and is a rewarder of those who seek Him. We get out of focus sometimes and we have that knowledge that God is there, but it often does not make it to the heart. The other thing we need to do is make a decision, you could call it commitment, focus, promise, whatever it is a deliberate, pointed choice. When you have a clear picture of who God is in your mind and His presence in your heart; your commitment/obedience sticks much better; He has become real to you, of course in reality, you have become real to Him. Now the business of rubberizing your faith can begin. As life pulls and stretches your trust, you can always snap back to the God you have placed that faith. As God allows life to pull us around different situations and as we enjoy God’s blessings in life we know we are attach to a God that exists, who loves, and has deepened our steps in faith. Thanks Remi
remioyedele2015 on September 11, 2016 at 10:53 am
Hi Gary,
Thank you so much for that beautiful analysis!! I also love that verse in Hebrews for the same reason you’ve pointed out – we can so easily fall into a place of head versus heart knowledge with God, and that is how drifting away often begins. May we truly live in the place of knowing Whom we have believed day by day, moment by moment.
Be blessed!
Remi
corgimom on September 10, 2016 at 7:37 am
Gary, I love the idea of “rubberizing” my faith! Sometimes I feel that my faith is indeed brittle — when asked to stretch, it simply cracks and breaks. But God wants me not only to have faith in the miraculous and mountaintop experiences but also in those where he seems distant — where I am being asked to stretch beyond my comfortable boundaries and step out into new territories, or when I’m asked to forego something I really wanted because, unbeknownst to me, God has a different and better plan for my life. Thanks for your comment! Have a wonderful day.
ibitoytey on September 10, 2016 at 8:34 am
Faith is a journey, “If we are faith-filled(faithful) in small things just then can we express our faith in Bigger things.
Remember that there’s little faith and great faith, for some little faith is only a step to great faith, while some continually dwell in the estate of little faith.May we find Grace to continually grow in the school of faith this leading to signs and wonder.
My journey of faith started just like Remi in a boarding school, I exercised my faith on so many occasions and it worked for me, By faith I walked by troublesome seniors and they didn’t me.
remioyedele2015 on September 11, 2016 at 10:58 am
Hi Ibitoye,
I love the image of you walking past troublesome seniors by faith, and not being bothered; it makes me think of the angel holding the Lions’ mouths shut when Daniel was in their den! Keep faith alive, my brother.
Be blessed,
Remi