— From the distaff side —

Combat Briefing

The battle for our faith

Have you ever been in a secure and pleasant place with all going well when, wham! — your world suddenly turns topsy-turvy and there are no handles to grab hold of?  You struggle to stay in control and strong in faith.  At such times we want God to zip in and make things right — but that doesn’t always happen.  Life’s surprises can overtake in ways that leave us feeling totally helpless and tempted to cry out:  Where’s God?  Why did He let this happen?  I thought He loved me!  These unwelcome episodes put our faith on the line and its very survival can depend on seeing things from God’s eternal view.

Such was the experience of two familiar New Testament sisters, Mary and Martha when their brother Lazarus fell sick.  We gain insight into God’s transcendent ways from the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in response to their pleas, and of course — according to His Father’s will:  "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was" (Jn 11:5,6).  What!  He “loved” — so stayed two more days?!  That doesn’t make sense.  Wouldn’t divine love run immediately to rescue and heal the sick?

That’s certainly man’s way but not necessarily God’s (Is 55:8,9) and Jesus always obeyed His Father (Jn 6:38).  The Bible explains why He delayed "... that the Son of God might be glorified thereby; to the intent ye may believe" (Jn 11:4,15).  SO!  Jesus’ seeming discompassionate delay was to cement Mary and Martha’s faith.  By resurrecting Lazarus, that beloved family would know for certain that He is God.  There would be no mistaking raising the dead with a healing.  What was His motivation?  His love for those close friends and a desire that their faith be “complete” — likewise, us and our faith.

Jesus is not dilly-dallying while you’re suffering!  He wants your faith to be solid too and at times allows trials to complete the job.  Why?  Because  he truly loves you and is preparing His Bride.  In the midst of your own topsy-turvy times, be encouraged so that "the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1Pe 1:7).  Meditate John 11; let these verses comfort you in trials.  Persevere in prayer and don’t give up on God in the face of seeming delays.  A delay might in fact be a divinely-ordained door to firmer faith.  When our faith is challenged, may we solidly proclaim with Job:  "he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).      — D.

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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