Day 65: Jesus, You Perfect My Faith

Have you ever wondered about God’s purposes in the midst of a flurry of fiery trials? I’m about six months into my “Jesus Year.” The last six months have been some of the most difficult days I’ve endured. Today in my quiet time, the Lord took me to Hebrews 12:2 and showed me that He not only authors my faith, He perfects it. The word for “perfect” here is teleiotes from teleios and is “one who brings something through to the goal so as to win and receive the prize.” I love this picture of Jesus as my champion who enables me to win.

So how is our faith perfected? I believe we are best brought to a winning faith through suffering (see Hebrews 2:9-10). In the darkness of trials, we learn to look to the Lord, grab hold of His promises, and live in the light of His Word. Then, we practice that “hope against hope” kind of faith known to Abraham (see Romans 4), the ability to walk with an eternal perspective in the temporal storms of life. We live out the truth of Romans 15:4, persevering and hoping in the encouragement of one verse of Scripture after another. We exercise faith, believing that “He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Mrs. Charles Cowman in Streams In The Desert quotes from Spurgeon today: “Faith is the telegraphic wire which links earth to Heaven, on which God’s messages of love fly so fast that before we call He answers, and while we are yet speaking He hears us…Am I in trouble? I can obtain help for trouble by faith. Am I beaten about by the enemy? My soul on her dear Refuge leans by faith…” Mrs. Cowman continues: “Faith honors God; God honors faith.”

Today I choose faith—the kind of faith that stands resolutely strong in God’s promises. I want to always honor God and trust in the dark what the Lord has shown me over so many precious years of walking with Him—finding the promise, embracing the promise, trusting the promise, and living the promise. May we all experience the magnificence of walking by faith with the God who cares and finding hope when we need it most.

My Response: Lord Jesus, I bring to You today those things that weigh heaviest on my heart—especially the illnesses of loved ones. I pray for Your healing touch in their lives. Will you comfort and bless us with Your extravagant grace. I trust You as not only the author, but the perfecter of my faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.