Does our Faith grow Stronger?
How can our faith in God become stronger in times of trouble and chaos? Does the real danger of an invisible virus, or loss of a job or any number of tragic events that come upon us begin to shatter our faith? In these difficulties of life that come to disrupt and even try to overcome us, does our faith provide us with the enduring presence of God to overcome them?
Our faith journey begins with hearing God’s word as we hear or read the holy scriptures in the Bible and believe its truth. As we become believers in the gospel, our sinful hardened hearts begin to soften. Our minds begin to realize the changes we are convicted to make as we learn what Jesus teaches us. Only then do we begin to realize the peace and joy in knowing God.
In Chapter 55 of Isaiah, God calls for those people that hear His words and to seek Him, “Incline your ear and come to Me (God). Listen that you may live and I will make an everlasting covenant with you.” 55:3. That surely was an emphatic calling to listen and seek God, yet there were those who did not heed God’s word. Paul in Romans reminds the people as he writes “however they did not all heed the glad tidings; for Isaiah said, “Lord who has believed our message?” Paul continues “So faith comes from hearing, and our hearing by the word of Christ.” Romans 10: 16-17. Do we take the time to just be silent and ask the Holy Spirit to comfort us and give us guidance during these days?
We can grow stronger in faith as we are encouraged by other believers, as we gather to worship, sing hymns, and praise God with our fellow believers. Also, reading and studying God’s word is a necessity we must not neglect. Our regularly coming to our Father in prayer with our concerns and needs; plus giving thanks for all that He provides is a part of our faith. All of these actions and activities help to build a stronger faith foundation.
Still we are all in a battle with the evil one who has the ultimate goal to weaken or even destroy our faith. The evil one will do damage to some in the body of Christ that are led astray. Paul declares in 1st Timothy, Chapter 4 “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrine of demons, by means of hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron.” 4:1-2. We must heed Paul’s words and not become one who is led astray.
So what do we need to fight this battle being waged against our faith? We will continue this next week…….
A few songs too;