Wednesday 7 May, 2014

We have a long list of heroes of faith, who are models for the faith I should have. Each of these people believed God for something they could not see, something that God had promised but had not yet happened.

Many saw what they trusted God for. Israel saw the Egyptian army destroyed within hours, the walls of Jericho fall in days, Rahab saw her rescue within weeks. Others saw God act within months or years.

Others endured the most dreadful things, but did not see what they hoped for within their lifetimes. But God remains faithful. We have seen what Jesus did to secure that promise. We have seen their reward continue to unfold, though they did not. The eternal life he bought is certain, paid for, but is yet to come in its fullness for them, and for us.

It can be really hard when the things we ask God for, the things we believe he has promised, do not happen in days, or weeks or even months or years. It can be really hard when we pray for things like healing for someone, and they die. What’s gone wrong? Is it my lack of faith?

God had a better thing at a better time for those heroes of faith (and also for us). And they are truly heroes of faith because they kept on believing in God’s faithfulness and goodness right to the end of their lives here.

If I can continue to believe when my patience runs out, if I can continue to believe when He’s doing something different (and better) than I envisaged, if I can continue to look for his faithfulness even beyond the end of this life – that is true faith. He remains faithful and good – even when I find it really hard.

Father, please give me spiritual eyes to see that your promises are certain even when my physical eyes can’t, and the courage to go on believing when circumstances tell me to give up.

Written by David Cornell