Christianity is a faith-based religion. Though there is a great deal of evidence to support the Bible and the impact Jesus has had and continues to have on the world, we still live by faith. We accept the forgiveness God offers through the death of Christ as payment for the penalty of our sins. We didn’t deserve this favor (or grace), but He has given it because of His love for us. As we receive his grace we get more and more; it never runs out. However, we have a limited perspective, a fishbowl view of God and of eternity. Our comprehension of the greatness and sovereignty of God is drastically limited by our humanity. It is by faith that we look forward to a day when we shall see Him as He is and know Him as He knows us.

Scriptures
Jn 1:16, 19:30; Heb 4:16, 13:5; Mt 27:37, 42-43, 45-46; 1 Co 13:12; Isa 55:8-9; Ps 135:3; Ro 8:31; Pr 3:5-6; 2 Co 5:21

Verse
Out of His fullness, we have all received grace on top of grace. (Jn 1:16) What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete—as complete as God’s knowledge of me. (1 Co 13:12) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8-9)

Thought
When we go through times of difficulty and trials our trust in God is put to the test. When all is well with life, it’s easy to proclaim God’s goodness and our faith in his great plan. However, hard times come and rough days ensue, and how we trust God in times of pain and uncertainty is the true test of our faith. We quickly discover who is on the throne of our life. If God is sitting solidly on the throne of our heart, we can have inward confidence, absolute certainty that He is able to see us through, whatever the situation, whatever the crisis. This confidence does not necessarily come without pain and tears, sleepless nights and cries for help, but it is the overarching foundation and rock of our faith. God is in charge; He sees all; He knows all; He has a plan beyond our scope of comprehension; it is in Him and through Him that we have life, and He can be trusted.

Questions
Have you ever had a time when you felt God was not paying attention to your situation or your pain? How did you react? When something bad happens, are your first words “Why me, Lord?” or “What do you want me to learn, Lord?” Have you seen people bail out on their faith when something bad happened in their life? Have you seen people hold tightly to their faith when something bad happened in their life? Do you think God owes you? What do you expect from God in a tragic situation? How do you offer spiritual comfort to someone who is in crisis?

Response
Live in thankfulness each day for your blessings! Recognize that you do not deserve anything. Build your faith by reading God’s word and praying faithfully so that your spiritual muscles are strong for the rough times when they come.

Prayer
Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins. I know that I do not deserve your grace, but thank you for being a loving and gracious God. Help me to trust you fully in good times and in bad and to recognize that you see clearly all that I cannot understand. By your grace, I will someday know you fully. Thank you for being my Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.