I Samuel 1:5
“but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the LORD had closed her womb.”
Often times we have no understanding as to God’s reasons. Our issue may be an obstruction of our plans, it might be a health issue, a damaged relationship, a problem at work or school, and so on. God has his reasons. However they aren’t visible. This in itself is difficult. “Why is this happening to me?” We may never know.
We need God’s help to cope with the difficulty and the lack of understanding. I’m reminded of the footprints poem. The person looks back and doesn’t know why there is one set of footprints. This is when He carries us. We need to yield to Him. True, we don’t understand. This doesn’t mean we can’t go to Him.
Part of the definition of faith is that we are to rely on Him when things don’t make sense. We feel these punishing circumstances. The immediate interpretation is “I deserve this” or “God disapproves”. Faith doesn’t think that way. Even though our circumstances seem to say one thing, faith can believe the opposite.
Faith is more than being optimistic or being a positive thinker. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Two key words here are assurance and conviction. As we are in God’s Word (Romans 10:17) and in relationship with Him, He gives these. We know it. Faith is almost tangible. It’s gift given us, not something we conjure up”
Our job is stay in His Word and to ignore the doubts that come against us. Matthew 18:3 tells us to become like children. Adults can become eternal skeptics. The Lord will provide enough evidence as is reasonable. Beyond that we are to choose to believe. He will reward us.
Lord, thank You for the gift of faith. Help us accept it.