Sometimes I forget the words of Christ in Matthew 25:40. I judge, I disdain, and I criticize my brethren in my heart (and with my actions). When I do this to the least of these my brethren I do it unto Him.
During such times of stark spiritual failure I am especially thankful that God has more faith in us than we have in ourselves. God exercises more faith toward us than we could ever exercise in our entire lives. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1).
In his own spiritual trial, Job struggled to understand why God seemed to be punishing him (Job 9). Yet, God had faith that Job would endure the test. Through it all God purposed to reveal the triumph of love over the power of evil (Job 9). And He did.
God has more faith in us than we have in ourselves.
When Elijah’s faith shrank, he not only ran from duty, he excused his lack of faithfulness to God, not once, but twice, by pointing to the apostasy of others (1 Kings 18). Yet, God said, before this is all said and done I’m taking this man to heaven in a fiery chariot (2 Kings 2:11). And He did.
Peter’s failure was worse yet. First, he, along with the disciples, forsook Christ. Then Peter denied his Lord, inflicting the greatest pain any human could bring to the heart of the Savior. Yet, Christ said, you may forsake Me, but I will not forsake you. When I am risen again I will go before you to Galilee (Matthew 26:30-32). And He did.
God looks at us today, billions of people selfishly divided and opinionated. He looks at those who were created in His image to be like Him, to be like Christ, to love mercy and do justly and walk humbly (Micah 6:8). Yet God says to the un-fallen universe—from these will come the ones that I’ve been telling you about for centuries, the ones that My prophecies have predicted. They will be the guileless ones. I will empower them by My Spirit to follow the Lamb wherever He goes (Revelation 14:1-5). And He will.
When we face hard times, when we look into the mirror of God’s law of love and recognize how utterly wretched we really are (James 1:23-25), let’s not forget that He is faithful still. God’s got our back (and our front, sides—head to toes). We’re covered, called, loved and paid for. If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). And He won’t. Amen.
James Rafferty
James has spent more than 30 years preaching the gospel around the world in revival seminars and evangelistic meetings. He and his wife Risë have two adult children, Jeiel and Kierra.
