Hope in the Night (A 30-Day Reflection of the Word of God)

Fifth Night: Why Do I Need Faith?

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
- Hebrews 11:6

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Reflection:

Have you experienced reaching a point where you found asking God really hard questions? Questions such as "Why am I experiencing these trials, Lord?" or "Are you really there, God?"

I once experienced this myself. We were financially unstable. There were times when we have nothing to eat. My parents were separated and only God knows where my father was at that time. I often asked God those questions above. Sometimes I asked Him if He was even real. And yet He had proved over and over again that He exists.

Much like when you were still in the moments of Cloud Nine, you also wanted to trust God in times of despair and suffering. But as you go down the bottom pit of despair, grief and depression, you just couldn't reconcile these pains and sufferings you experienced to the image of God we wanted to see and believe. You sometimes say, "You are the God of love but why do I feel unloved? Why do I still feel unneeded? Why do I feel unworthy?"

In the middle of this crisis you are experiencing - may it be financially, emotionally, and physically - you wanted to believe in Him but it was just so hard because of what was happening to you.

You felt that despair, the feeling of doing everything you can to please God just for Him to minimize this pain inside us. Out of desperation, you asked Him: "God, do you still love me?"

Pause right there. Selah.

If you completely and fully understood everything that had happened in this world, why would you need faith? Faith is not by sight but by believing in something you cannot see.

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).

If you do not have faith, it is impossible to please God. Why? Because both faith and trust are fruits of love, not from a business relationship, transaction or situations where you were not given a choice.

Wrestling without faith is like wrestling with a huge and thousand years old tree using just your bare hands. You'll never succeed. You'll never be victorious.

These questions that wrestles with your faith, surrender it to God. Are you willing to go and ask these hard and honest questions to God and not just in any person you come across with? Are you willing to believe in Him and trust Him that He will deliver you from your despair and suffering?

There is nothing hard for the LORD, our God. But as you ask these questions...

Are you ready to listen to what God has to say?

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Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for being ready to hear me at all times. Thank you for listening to me. I desire to hear from You, and I wanted to listen to You, too. Holy Spirit, help me open my heart and mind as I listen to what God has to say. Make me sensitive and obedient to His voice. In the name of Christ Jesus, Amen.