Alternatives To Faith

You cried to me in trouble, and I saved you; I answered out of the thundercloud and tested your faith when there was no water at Meribah. [Psalm 81.7]

The story of what happened at Meribah is found in Exodus 17.1-7.

The wording of Psalm 81.7 is a bit confusing because it really makes it sound like God randomly tests our faith. However, if one reads Exodus 17.1-7, he will quickly see that the story has a much fuller meaning than just to say, "God tested Israel's faith."

In the process of Israel's journeys, they arrived at Rephidim. It was there this event took place. It was there there was no water. It was there Israel had the opportunity to prove their trust in God as a matter of mounting daily fact. It was there, instead, Israel grumbled and complained.

Life itself is a test of our faith. Every day every one of us encounters opportunities to either trust God or not. To say, "God tests our faith," is really no different than to say, "Life happens."

Life is a test of faith. Nearly every aspect of life is an opportunity to believe God or believe what we see or feel. God wants us to trust Him in every situation. Does that mean He tests us? Well, yes, if we agree that life is a test of faith.

The question looms over all: will we believe God and His promises or will we believe our circumstances? Most of us believe our circumstances. We so believe our circumstances that we think nothing of taking medicine and buying insurance. In so doing, we miss huge opportunities to demonstrate faith. We may try to convince ourselves that God uses these worldly solutions to care for us, but how much more pure undeniable faith is evident in their absence? Can we really believe God is taking care of us when we take medicine or rely on insurance? Does it never occur to us that these solutions are just alternates to God and His healing and provision?

I make no apologies for what is said here. It indicts me just like it indicts most everyone.

When Jesus returns, will He find us in faith? Or, will He find us fully medicated and insured?

Regardless what we do with these questions, we need to know we are in faith.

Father, I want to please You with faith from me. Please forgive me for all the things in my life that offer alternatives to faith. Help me to seize every opportunity to believe and trust You!