The Painful Test of Faith

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and the he rewards those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named. He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back" (Hebrews 11:17-19).

The test of faith is painful. One of the most difficult aspects of this test is that we cannot see. What the test is asking of us does not make sense. We are unable to see the outcome, and, left to our own analysis, all outcomes seem to lead toward misery. During this test, and only by such a test, can faith be tested. We cry out alongside Abraham, "God, Abba, why are you asking me to sacrifice my 'Isaac,' my 'Isaac' through which You promised me descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky?" Nonetheless, we trust Him. It doesn't make sense; we don't understand why, but we trust Him. We put our Isaac on the altar and say, "Your will be done." For he is the only one who is worthy of all our trust - He is perfectly faithful, and He loves us with perfect love. This is our conviction of things not seen. All our hope is in Jesus alone, for he is the only one that we can see. Only He is able to work all things together for the good of those who love Him.

Faith in Jesus is proven most supremely when all other hopes are removed but Jesus.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23).