Faith That Runs Deep

"It is of no use to hope that we shall be well rooted if no rough winds pass over us. Those old gnarlings on the root of the oak tree, and those strange twistings of the branches, all tell of the many storms that have swept over it, and they are also indicators of the depth into which the roots have forced their way."

C.H. Spurgeon, in his classic devotional work, "Mornings and Evenings," penned these words on July 11th, over 100 years ago. But they ring profoundly true today, as if they were written personally for me, and for several people I know, who are currently enduring painful trials.

One of my character traits (or flaws?) is to question everything. "What could possibly be the purpose for this extremely painful trial?" If I understand the "why" I can accept it. I may not enjoy it, but it at least helps me make sense of the whole thing.

But as I've written previously, we are rarely ever told the answer to "why?"

However, today I was given another glimpse into the reason for our painful trials and suffering. And, oddly enough, the answer was actually found in the Bible. (Go figure!)

"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus—after you have suffered for a little while—perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you." (1 Peter 5:10)

Spurgeon goes on to write:

"The Christian is made strong and firmly rooted by all the trials and storms of life. [Therefore], do not shrink from the tempestuous winds of trial, but take comfort, believing that by their rough discipline God is fulfilling this benediction in you."

I know that for me—the more severe the storm—the tighter I cling to Jesus, and ever deeper go the roots of my faith in Him.

What a precious gift from God our faith is! And that's the purpose for our trials.

God wants us to cling to Him, rely wholly on Him, trust fully in Him, and be totally dependent on Him. So, is it any wonder that when we seek comfort, pleasure and fulfillment in other things or in other people, that these other little 'gods' in our life are shaken up and sometimes taken away?

Spurgeon writes:

"Seek, oh believer, so that every good thing you have may be an abiding thing. May your character not be a writing upon the sand, but an inscription on the rock! May your faith be no "baseless fabric of a vision," but may it be built of material able to endure that awful fire which shall consume the wood, hay, and stubble of the hypocrite. May you be rooted and grounded in love. May your convictions be deep, your love real, your desires earnest. May your whole life be so settled and established that all the blasts of hell, and the storms of earth shall never be able to move you."

To be "established in the faith," as the writer of Hebrews writes, one has to, "suffer for a little while."

So if you're suffering for God's righteousness' sake, meaning—not because of your own rebellion or stupidity; then take courage; your are being perfected, established, strengthened and settled in Christ.

And here's more good news:

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

The trials and sufferings of this life are only temporary. And we, as followers of Christ, are soon heading to a place and eternal existence where God promises there will be no more pain, sorrow or death:

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

Until that Day however, let the painful storms and trials of this life drive the roots of your faith deep into the Rock—Jesus Christ. He can personally relate with your pain. The Bible says He has felt all our infirmities:

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)

Although I cannot provide any specific Bible passages to you to categorically prove this, it is my personal belief that part of the reason Christ came to this earth and became flesh and suffered for us, is so that God almighty could feel what we feel and relate with us personally. God is Spirit, and before Christ became a Man, God did not have a physical body like He did when Christ took a physical body upon Himself. God, as Spirit, could not feel exactly what we as humans feel. He could not experience the same kind of human pain, sorrow and anguish we feel and experience in our weakness as human beings. And I believe He became a Man to know us more deeply and personally because of His great love for us individually and personally.

That's how much He loves you and loves me.

Meditate on the following verses from Isaiah 53:3-4

"He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted."

Jesus was said to be a Man of sorrows, and was acquainted with grief. He bore our grief and carried our sorrows. If this doesn't break your heart and fill your eyes with tears, I don't know what will.

Because of His great love for us, He chose to personally feel all our pain, sorrow and grief. The Bible says He "carried our sorrows." He knows what it's like to feel the sting of being rejected by His own family. He knows what it's like to feel the loneliness you are feeling. He knows what it feels like to experience the sorrow of losing a loved one. God Himself knows what it's like to experience the pain and weakness of being in a human body. He knows what it feels like to be unwanted.

Doesn't that just make you want to cling to Him, and thank Him, and love Him even more?

It does me. Thank You Lord for Your great love for me!

And thank You for this current trial in my life—through which You are perfecting, establishing, strengthening and settling me—in You.


—God is Love and Love Never Fails.