How God Builds Faith (Part Two)

Last week we started a discussion on how God builds our faith. We said that God takes us through a six phase program as he does that. We talked about the first three phases, and I have listed them for review:

• Dream – God gives us a dream for something He wants to accomplish in our lives.
• Decision – We make a decision to follow the dream.
• Delay – After making the decision to follow the dream, we often encounter delays.

Today we are going to continue our discussion about the phases and talk about phases four through six. Phase four in God’s faith building program is difficulty. Not only do we have to wait, but very often we encounter problems when we do. There are two kinds of problems that we typically encounter – problems with circumstances and problems with critics.

Let me give you an example. When Moses led the Jews out of Egypt into the desert, he encountered problems with circumstances right away. First there was no water. Then there was no food. These were serious problems, because he was leading a huge group of people! And that’s when problems with critics began to arise. The Jews started complaining. They accused Moses of trying to kill them. They questioned Moses’ leadership abilities. They said they would have been better off if they had not listened to Moses and stayed in Egypt. OK so how do we deal with difficulties? Well, this may seem counter intuitive, but the Bible says we need to consider them as an opportunity for joy. Take look at James 1:2-4.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4

This passage is talking about developing a new attitude when it comes to dealing with troubles. Normally when troubles arrive, we get upset, and if they persist, our attitudes usually get worse. James says change your outlook. He says, “Don’t be happy that you have a problem.” “Be happy that’s it an opportunity for your faith to grow, and you will become perfect and complete.” But you say the process sucks! It’s difficult and painful. Well, if you feel that way, you can always ask God to comfort you, and He will. Take a look at 2 Corinthians 1:4-5.

“He (God) comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:4-5

Phase five in God’s faith building program is dead ends. This is where situations deteriorate from difficult to impossible. Things seem hopeless, and we don’t see any way out.If you are at this stage, you are in good company. Even the great apostle Paul experienced dead ends. In 1 Corinthians 1:8 he said,

“At that time we were completely overwhelmed. The burden was more than we could bear. In fact, we told ourselves that this was the end. Yet now we believe that we had this sense of impending disaster so that we might learn to trust not in ourselves but in God who can raise the dead.” 1 Corinthians 1:8-9

Paul’s point is – If God can raise people from the dead, He can do anything. He can raise a dead marriage. He can resurrect a dead career. He can revive a dead relationship. God can deal with what seems hopeless. But when we reach dead ends, we almost always start doubting and asking questions. What’s going on God? Did I miss Your will? Did I misinterpret Your plan? Did I miss Your vision? Is this just something I thought up on my own? When Moses led the Jews out of Egypt, they made it as far as the Red Sea. But the next day Pharaoh changed his mind and came after them. So here they are. The Red Sea was in front of them, and they had mountains on both sides. They were trapped, and there is no way they’re going to get out. The Jews started doubting. But they were exactly where God wanted them to be.

And that’s true for us. When you are at a dead-end in your walk of faith, you are exactly where God wants you to be. God knows that you are there. He allowed the dead-end for a purpose. It’s part of His plan. So what’s the best response to a dead-end? 1 Corinthians 1:10 says:

“He has delivered us and will deliver us again.” Psalm 27:13 says, “I’m expecting the Lord to rescue me again so that once again I will see His goodness to me.”

So what does all this mean?It means we wait for God to turn dead ends into open doors of opportunity. Phase six in God’s faith building plan is deliverance. In the end God always comes through and delivers His people. He either does a miracle or provides some kind of solution. In Moses’ case, God split the Red Sea so the Jews could walk through it. God loves to turn dead ends into deliverance. Why? Because He gets the credit. He is glorified, which means He is made known to the people who are watching.

The best response to a dead-end is to EXPECT GOD TO ACT.The Bible says, “According to your faith it will be done unto you.”But that doesn’t mean blind faith.It means putting our faith in what God says is true and what He will do.For example take a look at Isaiah 41:10.

“Do not be afraid for I am your God. Do not be discouraged for I am with you. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

God says He will strengthen us and help us and keep us from falling IF we believe He is God and that He is near.That’s putting our faith in something concrete -which in this case is God’s promise. When we put our faith in God’s promise, Matthew 9:29 says “it will be done unto you”. So let me ask you, how good is that?What more could you ever need? I would like to close this blog by giving you worksheet that can help you evaluate how God is building your faith though the six phases that we just discussed. Take a moment and see where you are in His program.

FAITH WORKSHEET

A Phase 1 - What is the dream God has given you? ____________________________________________________________________________________

• If you don’t have a dream, ask God to give you one.
• You are here on earth for a purpose.
• Your purpose is a clue for the dream God wants you to have.

B Phase 2 - What decisions do you have to make? ____________________________________________________________________________________

• If you have a dream from God, what are you going to do about it?
• What steps are you going to take?

C Phase 3 - After you have decided to move ahead, are you experiencing any delays? ____________________________________________________________________________________

• Do you find yourself in God’s “waiting room”?
• If so, don’t panic and don’t force things.
• Be patient and wait on God to do His work.
• If you need patience, you can ask Him for it, and He will give it to you (Galatians 5:22).

D Phase 4 - As you move out of the “waiting room” what difficulties are you facing? ____________________________________________________________________________________

• You will be tested.
• There will be difficulties.
• God says, “I know exactly what you’re going through.”
• “I’m watching.”
• “Don’t think I’ve forgotten you, because I haven’t.”

E Phase 5 - Have you come to any dead ends yet? ____________________________________________________________________________________

• Maybe some of you are already there.
• Maybe things look bleak and impossible.
• You’re right where God wants you to be.
• You’re being prepared for deliverance.
• God says, “Hang on! Keep on believing! Don’t give up!”

F Phase 6 - Should you expect God to deliver you? ____________________________________________________________________________________

• Yes, because He will.
• “According to your faith it will be done unto you.”
• God is faithful.
• He always does what He says He will do.