Platform Admin
Measure of Faith
Christian, examine yourself to see if you be in the faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God. And remember, the Lord in His grace has dealt each one a measure of faith.
Faith, Beloved – Patiently Trust!
Trial of Faith
But faith is tried in the furnace of affliction, and deep faith is furthermore strained, as increasing pressure bears down. And as faith is tried, so faith is purified. And as faith is purified, so faith increases, and as faith increases, so faith is tried again. Tried, and refined, and tried again. Tried, and refined and tried yet again – tried to the extremities of endurance.
Purified Faith
Purified faith is often tried through the anguish of long delays. Deepening faith often hears the deafening clang of a silent reply. He sometimes permits our hammering on the golden gate of heaven, which remains shut fast – unmoving; unyielding; firmly closed, as though rusted upon their hinges. The Lord often suffers the cries of His precious ones, to echo and reecho in their ears – reverberating as from a brazen sky. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, ‘after I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?’ Genesis 18:12
Faith Sarah – Patiently Trust
Tested Faith
The brightness of the sun is shrouded as by a thick cloud. The refreshing stream is replaced by the dust of a parched earth. The true saint continues long in prayer. They wait and wait, with no reply. A shrouded blanket thickly hanging over a tear-stained visage. How long, the praying saint cries out in anguish. How long do you hide your face from me. How long, Oh Lord. How long? Hear my prayer and let my cry rest on Your ear. And yet the answer is withheld, and faith is further tested.
Wait of Faith
It is not that their prayers were not vehement. It is not that their pleadings were not accepted. It is not that their requests were unrighteous. It is not that their petitions were unanswered. It is not that their supplications were rejected. And Hannah was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation. 1 Samuel 1:10
Faith Hannah – Patiently Trust
Suffering of Faith
But it pleases Him Who is sovereign, Who gives according to His own pleasure, to bid our patience develop into long, long-suffering, Into the long, longer.. and the longest-suffering. Shall He not answer in His own way and in His own time? Shall He not exercise His will, according to His riches in mercy? Shall He not bequeath His benefit to His child – to the glory of His name? No righteous prayer is ever lost to the heart of God. No heart sigh ever misses the Father’s wrapped attention. No breath of prayer is ever spent in vain.
Delays of Faith
For those things, we reckon as refusals are simply His postponements, and those desires we count as denials – are simply His delays. Why, why has He delayed the heart’s desire for so long? Why has He withheld His answer, as the months and years roll by? Why is the boat covered with waves, as He sleeps soundly on a cushion? Lord, do you not care? Lord – if You had heard me. Lord – if You had answered, was Mary’s lament. Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. John 11:22
Faith Mary – Patiently Trust
The Rewards of Faith
His postponements will not be delayed forever, nor will His delays be postponed indefinitely. In His time and in His way, your Isaac will be conceived. In His way and in His time, your Samuel will be born. In His way and in His time, your brother will be raised.
Faith Beloved – Patiently Trust
Bible References
26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
6 I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings