This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:4
It is very easy to love the LORD when things are going smoothly. It is extremely easy to praise his name when your job is going well and you are being recognized, appreciated and promoted. It is easy to testify to God’s favor when your marriage is strong and your womb is fruitful. It takes no effort to raise your hands up in the air in worship when your children are excelling in school, choosing the right friends and getting good grades. It is easy to trust Him and call him a "good Father", when your family ties are strong, and you all get along, and cheer one another on.
But what happens dear friend, when the doctor says, “You have cancer, Alzheimer’s or muscular dystrophy?” What happens when your spouse cheats on you, abuses you or walks out on you or worse still, comes down with a terminal illness? What do you do when you are barren and feel condemned to childlessness? Tell me, how do you cope when your children turn to drugs, make the wrong choices or resort to truancy? What do you do, when your family system is dysfunctional, when siblings resort to competition and jealousy, secrecy and gossip, anger and unforgiveness and you feel like an orphan?
The writer of the first letter of John reminds us, our faith in Jesus Christ is the victory that overcomes the world (I John 5:4). Yes, it is easy to trust him when the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. It is much more difficult to keep smiling and trusting when the skies turn grey, the thunder rumbles and the rain begins to fall. It is much harder to call him a "good Father", when we cannot see Him, or hear Him; when your desperate voice sends an echo into a seemingly empty and silent chamber. But take heart brethren, true faith holds through all the varied seasons of one’s life. True faith is the anchor that holds despite the storm. True faith does not depend on circumstance but on the knowledge of the character of a loving God. This victorious faith is founded on the covenant that God established with those who fear him. True faith holds steady no matter what, because God has declared, "They will be my people, and I will be their God (Jeremiah 32:38)."
So, whatever, you are going through today, whether the skies are clear or grey, let faith in Jesus triumph over those circumstances. Like Paul and Silas (Acts 16: 25-26), use the chains that bind you to make robust music declaring God’s goodness, mercy, love and majesty. Let faith drive out doubt and fear and know that whatever you lack, God will supply if you ask by faith, believing His name. May this triumphant faith, be your portion not only today, but every day of your life.
Dear Father, thank you for reminding me that you are always there for your children. Give me the strength to trust you, not just when you are near, but also when it seems you are far away. Remind me that your presence is always with me. Cultivate in me, a faith that is victorious; a faith that triumphs over every circumstance of my earthly life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.