Whose faith hasn’t faltered at least a time or two? Believers aspire to truth in all things, and well they should. But what about the false fronts we erect so others will think our faith never falters? Let me say what everyone knows: we are weak and our faith falters from time to time. Now, the obvious is out of the way. Let’s get to the really important thing about faltering faith.
Faith: Measuring Up?
What do we do when we fail to measure up to the ideals of Biblical faith? Our enemy would have you believe you are a total failure when your faith falters. In opposition to that lie, let me give you two encouraging words. First, look at the life of Abraham. He is remembered as a man of faith. But how many times did he mess it up before he consistently got it right?
Second, turn your attention to one of my favorite Bible verses, Psalm 103:14 –
For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
I find such comfort there! My Father not only knows in advance when I’m going to blow it, He remembers how He made me. I am weak because He made me of dirt. And just so I don’t forget, our Savior reminded us all, Apart from Me, you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
Faith: Challenging
If we are honest, faith is challenging. Sometimes it’s just plain hard. We face difficulties and circumstances that seem to dare us to walk by faith. It’s tempting for someone like me to think the challenges of trying to grow and support an international missions ministry exceeds the challenges you face. But that isn’t true. We all face the giants of doubt, fear, circumstances, and self-reliance.
It would not be difficult to give you what my kids used to call ‘The Sunday School’ answers. But I’d rather show you as tell you. Before I do, let me give you God’s answer to why we face some of life’s challenges:
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ” I Peter 1:6-7 – emphasis mine.
Our faith is tested, refined, and purified so by it we may bring glory to our Lord. But what should we do when faith falters? The answer is illustrated by Heather Dorniden in an unbelievable scene. Watch this college athlete do the impossible and just imagine she is your faith. What happens to her happens to you. See what she did in a track race and I think you’ll know what to do in your faith race!
Did you see the guy at the end? As Stephen was martyred he saw Jesus standing at the Father’s right hand. Somehow I just have to believe when we finish our faith race the Lord Himself is like that guy at the end. He is happier for us than we are. Guess we’ll see, won’t we?