Faith At Its Peak

“And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them” Heb.11:12

What is Abraham’s example? In Abel’s example faith puts God first, in Enoch’s example faith walks with God, in Noah’s example faith does what God says. In Abraham’s example faith waits patiently on God. And that is ironic, in fact, that is like a misnomer. Faith waits patiently on God. Faith is action so how can faith wait patiently? The irony of faith is that faith is at its peak when it is patient. Is that Scriptural? Yes and I will show you. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” James 1:2-4 [KJV, emphasis added]. Faith has to be tried and it works patient. So faith at its peak is patient. You believe God, you have acted by faith, you are walking in God, what next? Be patient, you are going to enter into everything God has for you. In fact another Scripture says, “we should emulate those who through faith and patience entered into the promise”. Abraham was patient. I know some of you have been born again before I was even born at all but in my little walk with God I can tell you that He can be excruciatingly patient. So patient that sometimes we are forced to almost work out a plan and a solution for God if that would speed Him up so to speak and He is patient. And you see evil people “thriving” and it appears that God is patient. You see people doing all sort of horrendous things and seemingly getting away with it, it is as if God is patient. He is patient but the truth is that God’s patience is not weakness. God usually has a time for everything. So when He pulls the carpet it is done. For you to walk with God, to grow your faith, you must understand the place of patience.

James says to us, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations…”. This is one of the scriptures I struggle with. How can I count it all joy when I fall into divers temptation? Lord, how can I just be rejoicing at such a time? Imagine, in other words let’s say [God forbid] all your cars pack up in one day and you have to walk to work. God says count it all joy, in fact dance to work that day. Rejoice! That is what the Bible says and in truth that does not make sense. But that is what the Word of God says. So who will you let dictate your mood, God’s Word or the circumstance you are faced with?

Prayer: Father, I pray that the trying of my faith will work patience in me, in Jesus Name.