1 Peter 1:6–9 ‘Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…’(v8)
One consistent challenge in the Christian life is the impossibility of proving God through empirical method, something based on verifiable evidence drawn from observation rather than theory.
Christian confidence is established through faith, which Scripture describes as, ‘confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see’ (Heb. 11:1).
The Bible reminds us that, ‘without faith it is impossible to please God’ (Heb. 11:6). We discover that on our brightest days and in our darkest moments, our faith maintains confidence in God’s promises.
Experiences teach us through doing, seeing, and feeling. They are personally subjective, not easily explained to someone else who can only rationally attempt to interpret someone explaining their experience.
We seldom deny another’s experience, even when we don’t share or understand it. We take it on trust.
When we become uncertain in our faith (at some point, doubt looms large in every disciple’s faith journey) we are invited to acknowledge God’s promises even though they appear absent in our present and unattainable in our future.
The Bible describes this human condition as stillness, remaining non-reactive whilst choosing hope. We are to rest where God has us, knowing that only God can deliver us. Peter here encourages persecuted Christians.
Post-biblical history is also full of stories of women and men of faith who’ve been tested to the utmost.* Reading stories of faith-filled men and women can encourage us in our practice of how to live every day with Jesus.
A Prayer To Make:
‘Lord, help me to discover ways to remain still when trouble seeks to destabilise and destroy me. Amen.’
An Action To Take:
Are you willing to learn how and when to enter God’s stillness which alone offers respite from life’s storms? A stillness that demonstrates trust in God’s promises.
Scripture To Consider:
Isa. 30:15–18; Psa. 33:4–22; Matt. 8:5–13; Heb. 11:13–40
