Feeding your Faith

"...there He tested them, and said, If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD... and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes..." Exodus 15:26

At the beginning of this chapter we read the Song of Moses. Moses wrote a song of remembrance to feed the faith of those who were set free from Egypt. Israel was reminded of God's power to fight on their behalf. These same people, with their own eyes, watched God bring plague after plague on the god's of Egypt. And Moses wrote in his song, "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods...!" This was rhetorical, the answer is, "no one." There was nothing in history that would offer a different answer. Israel knew this. Israel experienced this. Moses' song, and Israel's experience which boasted in The Only true God were opportunities for everyone's faith to be fed and strengthened.

Anything they would face from this point should be met with great faith. They should be able to show they understand and knew God, that He is the LORD. How would God know this to be so? How does he show us that all he has brought us through has really fed our faith? This happens through testing. Circumstances contrary to our happiness are ways this testing is seen. Tough times reveal our faith has been fed through past tough times. Exodus 15, so close to the Red Sea Crossing. With such a miraculous victory right on their heels Israel would now experience a new test. Passing should have been a no brainer.

Let me make clear, when God tests us he is not tempting us toward sin. James 1:13 tells us "God cannot be tempted by evil, not does he tempt anyone." That is he is not allowing or doing anything to cause us to sin. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we read, "no temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear... he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." Simply stated, no matter the testing, in God's hand we are always set up for success. Sin is not necessary. God doesn't set us up to sin or for discouragement. We sin in testing because we are not feeding our faith prior or while going through. We also forget the power of God in previous test.

Right after crossing the Red Sea, Israel went into the Wilderness of Shur. They were there 3 days and were not able to find water. Here's the moment to remember what God had done. Here comes the circumstance where the possible feeding of their faith will show it's either emaciated or eager to trust. Now remember in this historical setting they were only 3 days from the Red Sea miracle. If God can split a sea, can he not give them water? Sadly, the answer for them was, "No, he cannot." The result, "the people complained against Moses..." This complaint was heard by The LORD.

Today in our history we are facing one of the toughest times we may see as a Nation. Quarantined, social distancing, layoffs, health fears, finances in disarray, and I could go on with the heavy burden all of us face. Some of us are having harder times than others. Some have lost family members to the Covid19 virus. Life is tough and that is an understated reality. It's bad, no one can deny that and be honest.

I do not believe God brought this horrible virus that aggravated and decreased the best times in our history. It has flipped everything on its head. I do believe everything in life offers us the choice to show God we trust Him. What have you been feeding your faith? When smaller crisis have happened and God brought you through, have you stuck those graces in your memory bank for withdrawal today? The Bible with its continual reminders, declarations and truths of God are our Song of Moses. Israel had their song to remind them of how God led them. We have his Word to delineate all His great Work. Taking it in is how we feed our faith. It is a continual meal requirement. We also feed on the memory of his work in our lives over the years.

It may be hard to move through tough times if your faith is skeletal. But it is not too late to use this hard time to turn to God and begin edaciously taking in His word. Day and night mediated on it, study it, fatten your soul so it is NOT stuck on complaint and discouragement. If God test to see if you will heed His voice, and give ear to his commandments and keep his statues, then why not show Him, you will? Begin feeding your faith so when this too passes, you are more than a conqueror and not just another complainer who's gained nothing.