WHEN YOUR FAITH IS TESTED

WHEN YOUR FAITH IS TESTED
JAMSE 1:2-4

“Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trails, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, and let steadfastness have it full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”

Has your faith ever been tested? Have you ever been tempted to give up on God? When life is going badly for you because of sickness, the death of a loved one, financial difficulties, family conflicts or personal problems, then your faith is tested.
Most times our faith is tested even when life seem to be going well. Prosperity can some times tempt us to become materialistic. If you find yourself in this situation, what should you do?
As we consider the experience of the Israelites in this lesson as they stood at the bank of the red sea, their experience will provide a guide on what to do when our faith is tested.
1. When your faith is tested always remember that matters are not as bad as they seem. This was also true of the Israelites. They thought they had escaped from the Egyptian bondage. Imagine their jubilation, then they reached the red sea and their joy turned to despair. The sea was in front, the desert on their both sides and behind them was Pharaoh’s army. To the Israelites at this point, the forces against them was overwhelming, there was no way out of this situation. The rest of the story we know very well, yet in all this God was able to deliver them.

Like the Israelites, when in difficult situations, we tend to look at the negative part of our situation, we imagine the worst and fail to see the positive possibilities. Have faith, the situation is not as dark as it seems. God will make a way where there seem to be no way.
2. When your faith is tested, look up to God. In Exo. 14:10, we see that in Israel’s despair they cried out to the Lord. We must commend them for that, but then they started to complain. By their complaint, they exhibited their negative attitudes. One of those attitude as you know was forgetfulness. They forgot so soon what God did for them in Egypt. Secondly, they showed ingratitude. They were not grateful for God’s blessing, yet God responded to their cry with the promise of deliverance. Moses assured them “Do not fear, Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again”Ex0.14:13-14. Turning to God when our faith is tested should be paramount in our heart. Through prayers, scriptures, the church and our fellow Christians, we can always find help and comfort we need in times of trails.
3. When your faith is tested move forward, When your faith is tested you must press on to the promised land. The most exciting and remarkable thing in the experience of the Israelites was God’s instruction in Exo.14. After Moses had asked them to stand still and see in verse13, God gave a counter order in verse 15, He asked the Israelites to “Go forward”. Despite their misgivings, they did go forward into the red sea. As the sea opened, they marched through on dry ground. By obeying that order they were delivered and saved. What about you? When your faith is tested, you usually know what to do, but the question is whether or not you will do it in spite of your misgivings, fears and troubles.

When your faith is tested, by circumstances, or difficult situations, you need to do what Israel was asked to do, that is:
1. Depend on God, stand firm and you will see the salvation of God.
2. “Go forward”. Paul says “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”Phil.3:13b.
Is there a sea in front of you? God can open it. Is there a wall in front of you? God can tear down that wall. Have you encountered a closed door? God can open that door. The solution of the testing of your faith is to keep faith. Walk through the sea, tear down the wall and enter the door, continue to be a Christian.
God has the answer to all our individual and corporate lives. We must hear His instructions and press on even when the way ahead seems impossible.
The God who opened the red sea can open your way and give you freedom.





Etim Echeng Enya
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Timosetim@gmail.com
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