05/31/2022
What is the training program that we have chosen to increase our faith? How do we go about strengthening our spiritual selves so that our belief in God, and Jesus Christ, will grow stronger with each passing day? A lethargic faith is one that is susceptible to atrophy, a fading away of belief, or the diminishing of its vigor, but an active faith, can overcome many trials, and weather greater suffering. A trained athlete of faith is able to endure, excel, and bring the champion’s portion of glory home to God.
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,”
Romans 5:3 ESV
Years ago I worked for an Aerospace company, and we fabricated airplanes out of aircraft grade aluminum, but my company had developed a process that made the sheets of strengthened aluminum we purchased even stronger, and gave them the ability to twist and flex without failing. This gave the fuselage, wings, and other body parts, a useful life that was much longer than they would have experienced otherwise. The process involved compressing the metal under pressure, and this was accomplished by placing the large sheets of metal into a machine called a Shot-Ping machine, where hundreds of thousands of steel balls were fire at them from both sides simultaneously… at great speed. This compressed the metal and strengthened it far beyond its original strength.
The experiences we undergo in life do the exact same thing to the strength of our faith lives. Every temptation, trial, or tribulation that we face increases our ability to endure, have the patience to wait on God, and be more resilient. This increases our ability to do God’s will when we are called upon, and ultimately brings Him far more glory than we could have provided otherwise.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 ESV
We hear of the power that adversity can bring to our spirits, and how this strengthens our faith, and perseverance. We read in scripture how this allows us to endure hardship when it comes, but what are we doing to prepare ourselves in advance? What is our spiritual training regimen that readies us to stand firm against the various tribulations, and to successfully sail troubled waters? Are we seeking forgiveness, praising God, praying unceasingly, spending time in God’s Holy Word, worshiping as we should, or are we doing the works of faith that show our love for others such as comforting those in pain, feeding the hungry, spreading the gospel, or the many other merciful acts that keep us active and focused in love on our God? These are the exercises that if done regularly will strengthen us in our faith… these things strengthen our love for God, and also for our neighbor.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
Matthew 25:34-40 ESV
Let’s begin a daily routine of spiritual exercise today!
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the hardships in our lives that strengthen us in our faith, and thank you too for the everyday spiritual routines, and exercises, that we do to prepare us in advance for those hours of tribulation. Help us Lord to condition our spirits for what lies ahead, and lead us as we do the things every day that give us fortitude, and allow us to do the things that will be required as we serve you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who lifts us up, and increases our faith in you, and our belief in Jesus Christ. Praised be your name in the midst of every storm, and for all the training exercises you put us through as you were conditioning us to face them. Merciful are you whose Word is true, for it gives us guidance and comfort throughout life. You grace is sufficient Father, and your love everlasting. No suffering is without purpose, and no trial without lesson. Give us strength in them Lord, and then wash us in the blood of Jesus as you prepare us for judgement, and to dine with you forevermore. Praised be your name, and let all glory be yours for all eternity.
“but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.”
2 Corinthians 6:4-10 ESV
Rich Forbes