Finding Steadiness in Faith: Grace and Endurance During Hard Times
Exodus 26-27; Matthew 16; Psalm 112
In these tumultuous times, the greatest sign of our union with God, of His love for us, may very well be our steadiness. It’s a profound thought.
There is grace available not just for running our race or pressing into God’s love, but also for enduring and remaining steadfast through life’s challenges.
In a Christian culture often focused on miraculous provision, we sometimes overlook the miracle of sustaining grace in times of hardship and suffering. Our understanding of faith during difficult seasons can sometimes wane, affecting our spiritual resilience.
The saints in the Bible, those who have journeyed before us, experienced their share of trials. Yes, they had moments of triumphant victory, but they also faced significant trials and tribulations. Consider Moses, Job, Esther, and David. They navigated through dark valleys yet witnessed God’s light breaking through.
Paul’s words to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 11 resonate deeply here. He speaks of his own hardships—labors, imprisonments, beatings, dangers, and anxieties. Yet, in 2 Corinthians 11:30, he says, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” Paul discovered a grace that becomes most evident in our weakness, in the moments when we’re most aware of our human limitations.
Have you seen believers, perhaps enduring prolonged illness or immense loss, who seem upheld by a grace beyond mere human strength, radiating peace amidst suffering?
I recall a woman who visited our church in Orlando. Shortly before, she had lost her son in active duty. Yet, during worship, she danced at the front, worshiping and praising God with a profound intensity. It was a moment of deep spiritual conviction for me.
Her display of faith was a clear testament to a unique grace at work. The Lord was upholding her in her suffering.
Steadiness in suffering, endurance through hardship, these are true signs and wonders.
Psalm 112:6-8 speaks to this: “6 For the righteous will never be moved… 7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is steady…”
In every season, especially the ones we don’t understand, may we walk with hearts firmly trusting in God. In moments of darkness, let us trust in the One who sees everything.
Whatever you’re facing, keep looking up. Trust in the Lord in all things. He will sustain your steadiness as you journey through. Keep your eyes fixed above.
Deepening Faith: Reflective Journal Prompts
- Steadiness in Trials: Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge or hardship. How did you experience God’s sustaining grace in that situation? What did steadiness in the midst of turmoil look like for you?
- Learning from Biblical Figures: Think about a biblical figure like Moses, Esther, or Paul who faced great trials. How does their story inspire you in your current life situations? What lessons can you draw from their experiences of God’s faithfulness in hardship?
- Miraculous Sustaining vs. Provision: Contrast a time when you experienced God’s miraculous provision with a time when you experienced His sustaining grace in hardship. How did these experiences differ in shaping your faith and understanding of God?
- Personal Weakness as a Strength: Consider Paul’s statement about boasting in weakness. How have you experienced strength in acknowledging and embracing your weaknesses? How does this change your perspective on trials and difficulties?
- Enduring Faith in Difficult Times: What does enduring faith look like in your life right now? Journal about the ways you can cultivate a heart that is “steady and not afraid,” even in the face of bad news or uncertain times, as described in Psalm 112.
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