Faith Is Not For Nothing!
/“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 What a clear cut definition of the word, “faith.” In the heart and mind of God, faith is vital.
Our salvation depends upon it (Ephesians 2:8).
Then, in Matthew 9, among other places in the New Testament, the need for faith is stressed three times for individuals who were looking for physical healing. But, faith in what or in whom? In each situation (verses 2, 22 and 29), the individuals, indeed, were looking to a Person, to the One Who had the power to deliver what it was that they needed. None had another place to go. All their “eggs,” as they say, were “in one basket!”
When it comes to a heart that is broken and in need of healing, where does faith make an impact? The answer is found in James 1:2-3 “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
Your heart might hurt so badly you would happily give up the benefits of encountering trials that test your faith and produce endurance. But, we don’t have a choice! We live in a fallen world so there will ALWAYS be trials, tribulations and troubles.
We don’t have to face all these alone. We have One Who knows what suffering is and is willing and able to walk with us through our own suffering. It’s this same Jesus Who gave us salvation and this same Jesus Who provided healing in Matthew 9.
When He was headed to the Cross to pay the price for our salvation, these words came from His heart, through His lips to His Father’s ears: “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death…My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” Jesus was no more eager to suffer than you and I are. But, what would the outcome be if He had not?! The outcome would be that we’d live in a world of hurt where we’d have to suffer without hope. Hope for managing the pain now and hope for better things to come. Jesus suffered and surrendered, and we are eternally better for it.
And, because He did that, He can understand like no one else ever could how wearying it is to have heartache. He understood Joni Eareckson Tada’s heartache when, at age 17, she experienced a diving accident that resulted in her having to live her life as a quadriplegic. When it first happened, she argued with God about her disability. It just didn’t seem fair. After some time and looking into God’s Word, Joni surrendered her life to Him, her life with a disability and the pain that accompanied it. Joni is now celebrating her 75th birthday. Because of her surrender, because she came to the place of choosing to count this test, this trial, as joy, her faith produced endurance to the point that God has used her to touch the hearts of thousands of lives around the world.
You are experiencing your own trial.
What can you take away from all of this?
God knows your pain – more than that, He understands it.
He’s with you in it so you can endure it.
He can and wants to use it to allow you to see Him more clearly so that your faith and trust in Him will grow.
He will use your pain to minister to others.
You’ll be blessed and your spirit will be lifted to see that your pain has profound redemptive qualities.
I would never diminish the pain in your heart. But, I will tell you that I believe, with all of MY heart, and my own experiences, that, because of God, the heartache that is the testing of your faith can produce endurance – and so much more. Don’t miss it. Surrender to the One Who knows you best and can comfort you most.
