Faith – Must Be Tested (5)

I had just spent nearly four hours trying my best to make my autistic daughters Saturday a really enjoyable one, I had pushed her around lots of parks in her wheelchair but she seemed so distant, wasn’t interested in playing then she had a meltdown because I wouldn’t (for her own good) let her get her own way. I laid down on the bedroom floor to get a wee rest and I felt like a failure and so very, very drained. Then, she came through and took my hand (she’s non-verbal) and took me again to the back door, signalling that she wanted me to take her out yet again. I took a deep breath, and off we went. Then, right at the last park before going back home, she got out of her wheelchair and ran to the swings. She burst into life and began giggling and running in and out of the four separate swings. Then, like she had done, so many times before, she tried to get on the swing seat herself and after a bit of encouragement she managed it. Like I had also done many times before, I tried to give her a gentle push to get her going. All previous attempts at using the swing had resulted in failure as she just couldn’t get it and she would just jump right off. This time however, it worked! She began to swing and so I gently continued to push her. She had finally discovered how to use the swing properly. My heart was overjoyed and when I saw her little face it was just so happy! After about 30 minutes, she jumped off and ran around and we chased each other and it was such a lovely and special moment.

The reason I write this is because I went from being in despair to absolute elation in a moment and all that time of difficulty just faded away rapidly. Sometimes we have to be very patient, don’t give up but keep going!

Faith, I think is like this. For faith to be proved as genuine, it has to be tested. This is very much born out by what the Bible tells us.

Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, wehave peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faithinto this grace in which we stand, and werejoicein hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

The ESV says we are to “rejoice” in sufferings, other versions say “exult”, “glory in”, “celebrate” and some say that we are to “boast in” our sufferings or afflictions. Why? Because facing, and not running away from difficulties produces endurance, character and hope.

A life of faith is not easy and certainly not cheap, it will cost us, but we know that, in the end,  it is so worth it!

James 1:2-4 (ESV)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The ESV says that when we face various trials joyfully, it will produce “steadfastness” other versions say, “patience” or “endurance”. This in turn will lead to spiritual maturity and inner peace. And of course, did you notice that these trials come to test our faith.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV)

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

These verses clearly show that faith is tested by fire. In the refining process of say, gold or silver, these metals are melted by extremely hot temperatures and then any impurities that come up to surface are skimmed off. This process is often repeated to determine the grade of the metal e.g. 16 carat, 24 carat gold etc. (See also Proverbs 25:4).

Remarkably, as I wrote the above paragraph, aptly playing from my playlist came this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idA6fCAHVzs&list=RDidA6fCAHVzs&start_radio=1

I guess, the testing of our faith and these trials and tribulations can come in many different forms, but here are just two categories that came to mind as I wrote this:

1. Being afraid of what other people think or say.

An example of someone failing this test would be Peter. Do you remember how the Lord had said to Peter: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32).

Peter may have denied Jesus 3 times, and so it looked like his faith had failed the test but in the end he was restored.

A good example of a person who came out with flying colours for this type of test would be Noah who despite all the ridicule, still built the ark as instructed.

2. Money or a life of ease.

Solomon comes to mind of someone who didn’t do well when tested this way. Ironically it was him who wrote: “For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” (Proverbs 1:32 KJV). Solomon didn’t really handle all that wealth very well and it led him to really backslide towards the end.

A good example of someone who passed this test though would be Moses. “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” (Hebrews 11:24-25 ESV).

However the testing of our faith comes (and it will come!) it’s good to fix our eyes on Jesus, lifting Him up and magnifying Him as He is the perfector, the author and finisher of our faith!