Yesterday I told you the story about our grandson and the fear he experienced in the swimming pool. He is now a good swimmer, advancing quickly in his abilities at swim lessons and his confidence has grown by leaps and bounds.
This is the kind of confidence that comes from knowledge and experience. That’s also how faith in Christ comes, through knowledge and experience.
Have you ever wondered why the Apostle James says we are “to count it all joy when we fall into different kinds of trials”? Joyful in a trial? Are you kidding me?
“My Christian brothers, you should be happy when you have all kinds of tests. 3 You know these prove your faith. It helps you not to give up. 4 Learn well how to wait so you will be strong and complete and in need of nothing.
5Â If you do not have wisdom, ask God for it. He is always ready to give it to you and will never say you are wrong for asking.” James 1:2-5 NLV
What if David had never faced Goliath, Daniel hadn’t experienced the lions’ den, Peter only sailed on smooth seas and Paul never faced any jail time?
Without their testimonies of the Father’s faithfulness, power, deliverance and grace we would be void of examples of His promises to save and protect. Each of these men faced hardship and each of them trusted God through those trials. They grew in wisdom and faith.
When trials come, and they will, we can face them joyfully knowing that our heavenly Father promises to bring us through. We will be stronger in faith, trusting Him.
God is greater than the trial, greater than the storm and He has promised to never leave us or abandon us.
“My dear children, you belong to God, so you have already defeated these false prophets. That’s because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” I John 4:4 ERV
“I know the Lord is great! Our Lord is greater than all the gods!” Psalm 135:5 ERV
Come to the Father in times of trial. Find courage, find hope, find joy. God is greater!