Faith Sees Beyond the Storm

Scripture:  Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

There are various kinds of faith.  Two  definitions of faith in the Webster Dictionary are:  confidence or trust in a person or thing; and belief that is not based on proof.  The Christian theology definition of faith is trusting in God and His promises as made through Christ and the scriptures by which humans are justified/saved.  Romans 10:9-10 says “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified Version) says “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen. [The conviction of their reality – faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses.]  

Our faith must see beyond our storms or trials.  In our faith walk, there are times we may not understand why we are going through certain storms, but we still have to walk by faith and not by sight.  John 13:7 says “What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.”  

Corrie Ten Boom, while she was in a concentration camp during World War II, experienced things we can’t even imagine.  In spite of what she went through, the Lord saw her through it by faith.  She was able to share the Word of God with others while in prison.  Sometimes she even had worship services within the barrack, which was infested with flees.  The flee bites were very painful.  She probably didn’t understand why the Lord allowed that. (Have there been times in your life when you simply didn’t understand the complexity of your storms?)  Many years later after Corrie left the camp/prison, she learned that the guards did not interrupt their worship services (which encouraged and helped to give those in the barracks strength/hope) because they didn’t want to be bitten by the infestation of flees.  

No matter what we are facing and will face in the future, don’t give up.  We don’t know the length of time of our storms or grief from storms, but we know that God cares about the intricate details of our lives.  One day we will be in His presence.   While going through our trials we have the assurance that He is with us, and that when we are at our weakest, He will give us strength (II Corinthians 12:9-10). Ask the Lord what He wants us to learn from what we are going through.  We have to realize though that He will not put more on us than we can bare according to I Corinthians 10:13 (which is referring to tests not temptation).  I Corinthians 10:13 says “ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”  We receive strength/encouragement while facing storms as we abide (wait, submit, rest, endure, surrender) in/to the Lord.  John 15:4-5 says “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”  Will you continue to have faith in our awesome Savior who provides for you?  Remember, faith sees beyond the storms of life.  Hold on to God’s unchanging hand.  Continue to press on for the Lord.  We will understand things better by and by.  

We are tossed and often driven
On the restless see of time.
Somber skies and howling tempest
Oft succeed a bright sunshine.
In that land of perfect day
When the mists are rolled away
We will understand it better by and by.

By and by when the morning comes.
When the saints of God are gathered home.
We will tell the story how we’ve overcome.
And we’ll understand it better by and by.

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank You so much for allowing me to have a personal relationship with You through Jesus Christ.  During the storms/trials that I am facing and will face, please help me to have faith that You will see me through them.  I know that You are with me no matter what I face, and that whatever You want me to learn, You will show me.  Help me to be a yielded vessel for Your glory, and that I will choose to live a life that is pleasing to You. All this I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)