By Bernice Gan & Alice Lock
People often say “Have a little faith” when they give advice with the best intentions. But practically, how can we keep the faith even when the going gets tough?
When our faith is tested – when we only have energy to solve immediate problems, with no time to process or reflect, or when we know in your head what the right answers are, but find it so hard to manage our thoughts and emotions – how can we continue to walk in obedience to God?
Perhaps we can look at the stories of Noah and Abraham, two Heroes of Faith who lived incredible lives and trusted God in impossible circumstances.
- Walk by faith and not by sight
Noah had his fair share of concerns and questions when God told him to build an ark with warnings about things that were not yet seen. Yet, regardless of his misgivings, “Noah did all that the Lord commanded him” (Genesis 7:5).
People around him could have been naysayers or may have thought that he was crazy to invest time, energy and money to build an ark which was useless on dry land. But he walked by faith, trusted God and followed up with actions out of that faith.
- Choose obedience
“By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).
Imagine Abraham’s fears when God asked him to uproot his entire family and go to a new land (Genesis 12).
Abraham chose to obey and follow God because he had faith in God and trusted Him.
Jesus also invites us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him (Luke 9:23). Following Christ requires us to sometimes give up the things we hold dear, to step out of our comfort zones and to set aside our desires for God.
Would we be able to follow the examples of Noah and Abraham to live by faith and act in obedience to God, to follow Him no matter where He leads us?
While we have been saved by grace through faith, God requires our obedience in how we live each day, just as any good father does. “If you love me,” Jesus said, “then you will keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15).
God wants our obedience for the right reasons. God does not want us to obey Him out of fear of judgement, out of religious obligations or because others are watching. God wants our obedience to be motivated out of our love, faith and trust in Him.
Our obedience is a visible expression of our invisible faith. Faith produces obedience.
Many other biblical characters displayed their acts of obedience from the result of their faith – from Joseph, Moses to Joshua, to the many prophets and lesser-known figures like Rahab. We can be like any of them when we make the daily choice to live by faith in obedience to God.
- Count it all joy
Faith not only produces obedience, but joy!
What does it mean to “count it all joy when we face all kinds of trials” (James 1:2)? Do you feel happy when you encounter difficulties in life?
Most of the time, no. But joy requires a change of perspective.
James says we can be joyful when we see trials as a test of faith to build character such as steadfastness, so that we can be mature and complete (James 1: 3-4). The writer of Hebrews also tells us that trials are a discipline and test of our faith so that we can yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Heb 12: 11).
We can be joyful when we see what Christ has done for us. When He conquered death and sin, He made us victors, not victims of our circumstances.
When we face hard knocks and disappointments, we may get hurt and feel downcast. We need to lay aside past hurts that chain us down and keep our eyes on Jesus who begins and matures our faith, so that we can press on for the crown of life that is ahead and run the race with endurance (Heb 12: 2).
Joy is not found in ourselves or others, but it is discovered in this journey of faith. When we experience God’s love and faithfulness in our lives, trusting in Him to work things out for good, we will understand what it means to count it all joy.
Reflect and Respond
- Do you think faith or obedience comes first? Why?
- How can you ‘count it all joy’ when you face trials?
- What is the hope or promise that you have to look ahead?
Read with your child
Do you obey your parents out of your fear of consequences or out of your love for them? Would you still obey when you do not understand why you have to do as you are told? When God calls us to obey Him, He wants our obedience to be motivated out of our love and faith in Him.
Jesus struggled with having to die on the cross. Yet, he chose to obey God’s command out of his love for his Heavenly Father. Abraham and Noah showed their faith in God when they obeyed God’s instructions without asking Him ‘Why?’. For most of us, we do not want to hurt our parents or make them sad with our disobedience because we love them and trust that they want only the best for us. It is the same with Jesus, Abraham, Noah, and many other bible characters. They obeyed God because they chose to love and put their faith in God. Would you do the same today?
Dear God, give me a heart that loves you and the faith to believe in your goodness.
