Chambers talks again today about faith: "Faith by its very nature must be tested and tried. And the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God's character must be proven as trustworthy in our own minds."
I think this morning about the concept of faith in America and mine in particular. How has the culture around me shaped this concept of faith?
Faith is not contingent on circumstances, but in spite of those. If I look to what God has done for me, especially from the material and health standpoint, I can say that God has been faithful and provided for me and my family. I can acknowledge that all that I have comes from Him, and I can be really thankful, but does that show true faith?
I can say, and I do, that whatever God brings into my life is best for me, regardless of the circumstances that surround that event, but do I mean that when times might be hard? Is my faith contingent on continued blessings? Is it a convenient faith? Is it akin to a prosperity gospel?
God says that His purposes are not ours nor His ways. We can fall into line with His, but He is not beholden to make His bend to ours. Could my faith survive this test? Could I possibly quit asking God to bless me and my efforts and simply say, "Thy will be done"?
Could I live a true life of faith as Chambers says at the end of today's devotion? "The highest and the greatest expression of faith in the whole Bible is: "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15).
Putting aside the American Dream, and taking up the life of true faith.
Me?
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