Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
3/26/2021
When Faith Sinks Out of Sight
There are those moments and I think there are seasons when we dredge through the desert of trials and tribulation. It may appear as this never-ending desert of loneliness or despair of a situation that has ahold of us with a death grip. We wonder where is our faith to hold on to or be held secure in during this moment? What do we do when the darkness will not seem to lift?
When our own precious faith sinks out of sight?
First, we must know that God’s word is true.
True to the bone, the core, the very essence of life itself, forever into eternity…God cannot change.
God cannot and will not forsake his chosen. YOU.
And although our faith may seem to have shrunk out of our sight it has not diminished one iota from God’s sight.
Hang onto this truth, fight for it…believe it.
John 3:8. “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do to know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit”
Don’t you know that we are not saved by producing faith on our own?
Or making it the basis of our new birth? God and God alone is at the bottom of our faith; And if it should seem to disappear for a season from our view, God is yet sustaining its roots and protecting the seed from destruction.
In times of a crucible, please know that we can be safe in Jesus, even when we have lost sight of our own security. That witness of the Holy Spirit that we are the children of God. Rom 8:16 may be clear or faint. But the reality is unshakable. 2 Tim 2:19. God’s foundation stands, bearing this seal: The Lord knows who are his”. God is faithful, by whom you were called” 1 Cor 1:9 or “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” Phil 1:6.
Are you really listening?
These words are crucial counsel if we are to survive the dark night of the soul.
That night will surely come for every Christian. Maybe you are there now in one way or another. Maybe you see a storm coming and you are fearful you cannot do it, endure it or be a leader through it.
What I can say to encourage you is to take your eyes off the mirror. Off of you…Off the storm, as Peter did. There is nothing there for you in that darkness. My friend I know that is so hard as your heart is breaking over a matter. The pull is like a team of horses dragging you toward it. You are so hurt and dismayed you feel as if you could break in the emptiness of it. STOP.
WAIT ON THE LORD… Cry to Him… loudly… but in it all, cleave to Him and not the storm.
Know that our own self-indictment, rendered in darkness, is not as sure as God’s World spoken in the light.
STOP looking at your faith, and rivet your attention on Christ. Faith is sustained by looking at Christ, crucified, and risen, not by turning from Christ to analyze your faith. Let’s read Luke 22 through 24 together and read the anguish of Christ during his darkest hour. It said in Luke 22-44 “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground”. Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly.
Cry out to the Father as Jesus did.
Do not focus on your faith, but on the greatness of our Savior, who has called you his own. He promises I will not leave you or forsake you. I have prepared a place for you in the presence of your enemies PS 23 Remember your past victories! Be encouraged in the Lord. He is able to deliver you from death.
He already has. Cry to him…
Look up to him and then rise up in His power and with His faith.
Will you not stop and pray with us and your family for one hour this week?
He listens!
Praise You In This Storm – Casting Crowns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAle3dI8NYM
Excerpts are taken from John Piper’s book When Darkness Will Not Lifts.
