Expanding Faith

​George Mueller, Christian evangelist, and director of the Ashley Down Orphanage in Bristol, England experienced tests of faith on multiple occasions, many through caring for over 10,000 orphans in his lifetime. That is why his conclusions on how faith grows are ones we should respect. He said, "The only way to learn a strong faith is to endure great trials. We learn faith by standing firm amid the most severe of tests." "Faith does not operate in the realm of possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man's power ends." "Trials, difficulties, and obstacles are the food of faith. God delights in increasing the faith of His children."
 
Looking at these statements, I cannot help but wonder if we are in a time where God is expanding our faith. The recent losses and challenges that are before us tend to shake our faith. The catastrophic events of the past year, including fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, terrorist attacks, severe illnesses, economic downturns, and financial challenges, have landed in our backyard bringing great loss and resulting in emotional shock and trauma. It is during these times that we find it easy to question the truth upon which our lives have been built. Trust in God and His Word is where we must take a stand, especially during trials.
 
King David, the King of Israel that was hand-picked by God, had multiple opportunities to express his trust in God, and his psalms are ripe with the fruit of it. He made a choice to trust in God and His plans for his welfare. Here are a few of my favorites: Psalm 16:8 - "I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:1, 2, 8 - "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will not be shaken...Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him for God is our refuge." Psalm 125:1, 2 - "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore."
 
It is our focus and our confession that will help to build our faith. We must focus on the Father heart of God when circumstances shake our foundation. He is a dad of compassion and love that promises to redeem whatever shakes our faith. As we stand on the Word of God, we must confess it. Hearing the truth from our own lips will strengthen our foundation. Before Jesus returned to heaven He reminded His disciples of this truth:  "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) And let us remember 1 John 5:5. "Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."
 
When George Mueller had a need, he and those who helped him at the orphanage kept it a secret. They agreed that they would only share their needs with God in prayer. There were times when George did not know how he would feed the orphans. But provision always came, albeit frequently at the eleventh hour. Imagine what this practice did for his faith! Pastor John Maxwell said, "There are a lot of things in life that our difficult to understand. Faith allows the soul to go beyond what eyes can see."
 
Let us cling to the words of Peter in his first book. "...You may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even through refined by fire--may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:6, 7) It is through our faith that we reveal Jesus to others, and isn't this what we are called to do?