Faith is defined by Hebrews 11:1 as, The assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith can be fragile like a tender plant. Faith can also be sturdy like a mighty oak tree.
The tender plant side of faith comes often when we face daunting challenges that overwhelm us. Many times when we most need faith, that faith withers and shrivels. We doubt when we should believe. We stare paralyzed at our circumstances when we should prayer fervently. We sink into depression when we should fight for our faith.
I recall a preacher many years ago saying something in a sermon I have not been able to forget all these years later. It is really two questions more than a statement. What do we see? What do we believe? Tender plant faith gives in to what we see instead of what and who we believe. This tender plant faith has no assurance. The best place to gain assurance is by knowing what God promises in His word. That takes that tender seedling of faith and grows it into a mighty oak tree. This does not happen overnight. The tougher the storms the deeper the roots grow.
Some people have oak like faith in God and their salvation. They are firmly convinced. They have no doubts. They are anchored in God and have grown strong roots in His word. They are able to endure trials, adversity, sorrows, and mountain like challenges. These people are steady. They are able to take things in stride. They are consistent in their devotion and their service to God.
How would we characterize our faith individually? Like a tender plant or like a mighty oak? How would we define our faith as local assemblies of believers? May God help each of us to grow mighty oak faith in these turbulent times. May we press onto a maturity in faith beyond anything we have ever known before.
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