By Bernice Gan & Hannah Tang Peled
In the storms of life, we may find ourselves in situations that test our faith. We may face insurmountable challenges that seem impossible to overcome and doubt God’s power and presence. We wonder if God is in control, if he will deliver us and see us through.
But as we learn more about the Object of our faith – Jesus Christ our Lord – we can be assured of His strength and grace as we experience our Father’s love and know that He holds us in His hands.
God of the impossible
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27
When we face challenges and difficulties, do we focus on how large the problem is, or do we see how big our God is?
The God we serve is not only God our Father (Rom 8: 15) but also the Creator of Heaven and earth (Gen 1: 1). He rules over everything by His strength and power (1 Chronicles 29: 12). Riches and wealth come from Him (1 Chron 29: 12). He directs the hearts of kings (Prov 21: 1). And he is able to keep us from stumbling or falling (Jude 24).
Nothing is too difficult for Him. Romans 8: 32 tells us if He can even give up His Son for us, would He withhold anything from us?
Our faith is not a blind faith, but it is founded upon Jesus Christ, the Son of God through whom all things were created (Heb 1:2). Jesus humbled Himself and became human (Heb 2: 14), shed His blood to redeem us from sin (Heb 9: 13-14) and overcame the devil and death (Heb 2: 14).
By Christ’s strength, we can also overcome all obstacles (Phil 4: 13) and run with endurance the race set before us (Hebrews 12: 1). If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31)
Holding Fast Without Wavering
Faith is not something we acquire once but is something we need to constantly practice and strengthen daily through prayer.
Faith is confidence in knowing who God is and what He has promised. It is a trust based on a relationship with God, just like Abraham, a man of faith who was also called a friend of God.
When we are facing trials, it is easier to give in and bow under pressure. It takes faith to hold fast to God’s promises and persevere. Hebrews 10:23 tells us to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
Jesus told His disciples, “By your patience (hupömöne in Greek) possess your souls.” (Luke 21:19). Similarly, Revelations 14:12 talks about “the patience of the saints”, for they are “those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”
Faith requires hupömöne, which means cheerful or hopeful endurance, constancy and patient continuance.
Look at the heroes of faith and Jesus’ example in Hebrews 11-12. They showed us that faith involves a determination to stay on course, for the joy set before them.
Like Samwise told Frodo in ‘Lord of the Rings’: “Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.”
Are we holding fast to God’s Word and living in obedience? Let’s encourage each other to do so as we tread on in our faith journey, looking to Jesus!
Reflect and Respond:
- What is faith and where does it come from?
- How does knowing the Object of your faith help you to overcome life’s challenges?
- Is there any area in your life where you need to hold fast in your faith?
