The Refining of Our Faith
Bible Readings
- Hebrews 11:32 - And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
- Hebrews 11:33 - Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
- Hebrews 11:34 - Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
- Hebrews 11:35 - Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
- Hebrews 11:36 - And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourging, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
- Hebrews 11:37 - They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
- Hebrews 11:38 - (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
- Hebrews 11:39 - And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
- Hebrews 11:40 - God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
- James 1:2 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
- James 1:3 - Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
- James 1:4 - But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Many of us would like to have a strong faith like the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. It is very inspiring to read about the great victories and achievements of people who trusted the Lord. But when we think about enduring the difficulties described in verses 36–38, we must admit that this process does not seem so easy and attractive.
Imagine that the Lord is a master sculptor, and before Him stands a large piece of marble. That piece of marble is you. He sees the beautiful work of art hidden within the stone and lovingly and carefully chips away everything that does not conform to the masterpiece He wants to create.
One of the first areas the Lord works on is our character. His purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son. Therefore, His chiseling tool sometimes exposes the roots of sin and selfishness.
If anything or anyone in our life becomes more important than the Lord, it becomes an idol. To protect us, God sometimes allows difficulties so that the things we trust will be removed, and we will cling only to Him.
This chiseling process can be painful—sometimes it feels like God is taking away everything we love. But if we trust Him and surrender to this shaping process, our faith will be refined and strengthened through difficult times (James 1:2–4).
🤔 Reflection
What in your life do you trust or value more than God? How can you surrender more fully to Him in this shaping process?
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