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Why are you fearful Oh you of little faith? Matthew 8:26
Oh Lord, I believe – help my unbelief! Mark 9:24
I have not found such great faith – not even in Israel… Luke7:9
Oh woman, great is your faith. Let it be to you as you desire… Matthew 15:28
I sought Him but I could not find Him.. I called Him but He gave me no answer.. Song of Solomon 5:6

Measure of Faith

Christian, examine yourself to see if you be in the faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God. And remember, the Lord in His grace has dealt each one a measure of faith.

Faith, Beloved – Patiently Trust!

Trial of Faith

But faith is tried in the furnace of affliction, and deep faith is furthermore strained, as increasing pressure bears down. And as faith is tried, so faith is purified. And as faith is purified, so faith increases, and as faith increases, so faith is tried again. Tried, and refined, and tried again. Tried, and refined and tried yet again – tried to the extremities of endurance.

Purified Faith

Purified faith is often tried through the anguish of long delays. Deepening faith often hears the deafening clang of a silent reply. He sometimes permits our hammering on the golden gate of heaven, which remains shut fast – unmoving; unyielding; firmly closed, as though rusted upon their hinges. The Lord often suffers the cries of His precious ones, to echo and reecho in their ears – reverberating as from a brazen sky. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, 'after I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?' Genesis 18:12

Faith Sarah – Patiently Trust

Tested Faith

The brightness of the sun is shrouded as by a thick cloud. The refreshing stream is replaced by the dust of a parched earth. The true saint continues long in prayer. They wait and wait, with no reply. A shrouded blanket thickly hanging over a tear-stained visage. How long, the praying saint cries out in anguish. How long do you hide your face from me. How long, Oh Lord. How long? Hear my prayer and let my cry rest on Your ear. And yet the answer is withheld, and faith is further tested.

Wait of Faith

It is not that their prayers were not vehement. It is not that their pleadings were not accepted. It is not that their requests were unrighteous. It is not that their petitions were unanswered. It is not that their supplications were rejected. And Hannah was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation. 1 Samuel 1:10

Faith Hannah – Patiently Trust

Suffering of Faith

But it pleases Him Who is sovereign, Who gives according to His own pleasure, to bid our patience develop into long, long-suffering, Into the long, longer.. and the longest-suffering. Shall He not answer in His own way and in His own time?  Shall He not exercise His will, according to His riches in mercy?  Shall He not bequeath His benefit to His child – to the glory of His name?  No righteous prayer is ever lost to the heart of God.  No heart sigh ever misses the Father’s wrapped attention.  No breath of prayer is ever spent in vain.

Delays of Faith

For those things, we reckon as refusals are simply His postponements, and those desires we count as denials – are simply His delays. Why, why has He delayed the heart’s desire for so long? Why has He withheld His answer, as the months and years roll by?  Why is the boat covered with waves, as He sleeps soundly on a cushion?  Lord, do you not care? Lord – if You had heard me. Lord – if You had answered, was Mary’s lament. Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. John 11:22

Faith Mary – Patiently Trust

The Rewards of Faith

His postponements will not be delayed forever, nor will His delays be postponed indefinitely. In His time and in His way, your Isaac will be conceived.  In His way and in His time, your Samuel will be born.  In His way and in His time, your brother will be raised.

Faith Beloved – Patiently Trust