From Crisis to Confident Faith: Trusting Jesus in Trials

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Grows Through Crisis and Desperation

In times of crisis, faith is often tested and refined, revealing whether we will turn toward God or away from Him. The story of the royal official in John 4 shows that desperation can strip away our self-reliance and drive us to seek Jesus with a humble, urgent heart. This man, despite his status and resources, was brought to a place where only Jesus could help, and his willingness to leave his dying child’s side to find Jesus demonstrates how crisis can become the catalyst for deeper trust. When trouble leads us to God, it becomes a medicine for our souls, drawing us closer to His presence and purposes. [30:26]

John 4:46-54 (ESV)
So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

Reflection: When have you faced a crisis that forced you to rely on God alone? How did that experience change your faith or your relationship with Him?

Day 2: True Faith Is Rooted in God’s Promises, Not Just Miracles

Faith is not about demanding signs or miraculous outcomes, but about trusting in the character and promises of God even when we cannot see the results. Jesus challenged the crowd’s desire for wonders, teaching that faith must come before the miracle, not after. The royal official’s faith grew when he took Jesus at His word, without insisting on proof or visible evidence. This kind of faith is anchored in the assurance that God’s word is true and that He is faithful, even when circumstances are uncertain or outcomes are unseen. [56:47]

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God’s promises without demanding a sign or immediate answer? What would it look like to take Him at His word today?

Day 3: The Object of Faith Matters More Than Its Size

Jesus taught that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, not because of the amount of faith, but because of the greatness of the One in whom we place our faith. The royal official’s journey shows that imperfect, even hesitant faith, when placed in Jesus, is enough for God to work. It is not about how strong or unwavering our faith feels, but about continually coming to Jesus, trusting that He is able and willing to act according to His will. Our faith grows as we learn more about who God is and how He works, shifting our focus from ourselves to Him. [38:18]

Matthew 17:20 (ESV)
He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Reflection: Where have you been discouraged by the “smallness” of your faith? How can you shift your focus to the greatness of Jesus rather than the strength of your own belief?

Day 4: Faith That Obeys: Believing and Acting on Jesus’ Word

True saving faith is not just believing that God can do all things, but also obeying His word, even when it is difficult or costly. The royal official did not argue or demand further proof when Jesus told him, “Go; your son lives.” Instead, he obeyed and began the journey home, trusting in Jesus’ word alone. This kind of faith moves beyond seeking miracles to a willingness to follow and obey, even when the outcome is uncertain. Obedience is the evidence of genuine faith, and it is through obedience that our faith is strengthened and made real. [43:25]

John 14:23 (ESV)
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

Reflection: Is there a step of obedience God is calling you to take today, even if you don’t see the outcome? What is holding you back from acting on His word?

Day 5: Faith That Becomes Confident and Contagious

As the royal official’s faith grew from desperation to confidence, it became a testimony that impacted his entire household. When he saw that Jesus’ word was true, his faith became contagious, leading his family and servants to believe as well. God often uses our trials not only to strengthen our own faith, but also to draw others to Himself through our witness. Even when prayers are not answered as we hope, faith that endures and trusts God’s goodness in all circumstances becomes a powerful example to those around us, pointing them to the hope we have in Christ. [01:05:48]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflection: Who in your life might be encouraged or drawn to Jesus by seeing your faith in action, especially in times of trial? How can you share your story of God’s faithfulness with them this week?

Sermon Summary

Faith is not a static quality, but a living, growing trust in God that is often forged in the crucible of crisis. In John 4, we encounter a royal official whose son is at the point of death. Despite his status and resources, he is powerless to save his child, and so he seeks out Jesus, compelled by desperation and a glimmer of hope. This journey is not just a physical one, but a spiritual pilgrimage from crisis-driven faith to a deeper, more confident trust in Christ.

The official’s faith begins imperfectly—he comes to Jesus not with a full understanding of who He is, but with the belief that Jesus can do something no one else can. Jesus’ response, seemingly abrupt, is actually a merciful challenge, exposing the tendency in all of us to seek signs and wonders as a prerequisite for belief. Yet, Jesus offers the man not a spectacle, but a word: “Go, your son lives.” The man chooses to believe Jesus’ word without tangible proof, and in that act, his faith grows.

This narrative reveals that faith is not about the amount we possess, but the object in whom we trust. Even a mustard seed of faith, when placed in Christ, is enough. The official’s journey home—whether immediate or through a long, anxious night—is marked by trust in Jesus’ promise. When he learns that his son was healed at the very moment Jesus spoke, his faith matures from crisis to confidence, and then becomes contagious, spreading to his entire household.

Yet, not every story ends with the miracle we hope for. True faith is not measured by visible deliverance, but by steadfast trust in God’s love and sovereignty, even when the outcome is hidden or painful. God often uses our moments of desperation not to punish, but to draw us closer, to teach us that His word is trustworthy, and to conform us more into the image of Christ. The invitation is to keep coming to Jesus, to take Him at His word, and to let our faith grow—not just for our own sake, but so that others might see and believe as well.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith Grows Most in Crisis Crisis is often the catalyst that moves us from self-reliance to dependence on God. When our resources and abilities fail, we are confronted with our need for something greater. In these moments, faith is not just tested, but given the opportunity to deepen and mature. God uses our desperation not to break us, but to draw us nearer to Himself, teaching us to trust His character and promises above our circumstances. [30:26]
2. The Object of Faith Matters Most It is not the size of our faith, but the One in whom we place it, that makes the difference. Even a small, imperfect faith, when directed toward Christ, is powerful and effective. We are often tempted to focus on increasing our faith, but Jesus calls us to focus on knowing and trusting Him. The strength of our faith is found in the reliability of its object—Jesus, who is always faithful to His word. [38:18]
3. Faith Obeys Without Seeing True faith is willing to act on God’s word even when there is no visible evidence of its fulfillment. The royal official believed Jesus’ promise and began his journey home without proof of his son’s healing. This kind of faith is not passive; it moves forward in obedience, trusting that God’s word is enough. Such faith is refined in the waiting and is often rewarded with a deeper understanding of God’s power and goodness. [59:52]
4. Faith That Endures Becomes Contagious As faith matures from crisis to confidence, it naturally overflows to others. The official’s trust in Jesus led not only to his son’s healing, but to the belief of his entire household. Our faith is never meant to be private or stagnant; it is designed to be shared, to inspire, and to invite others into the story of God’s faithfulness. Even when outcomes are uncertain, a steadfast faith in Christ can become a testimony that draws others to Him. [65:48]
5. God’s Sovereignty in Our Suffering Not every prayer is answered as we hope, but God’s purposes are always good. Faith is not a guarantee of deliverance, but a commitment to trust God’s love and wisdom, even in the furnace of affliction. Sometimes, God allows suffering so that greater spiritual life and understanding might come—not just to us, but to those around us. In all things, He is working for His glory and our ultimate good. [69:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:26] - Faith in Crisis: The Royal Official
[31:54] - Help My Unbelief: Honest Faith
[34:58] - What Is True Faith?
[38:18] - The Object of Our Faith
[40:21] - Jesus’ Reception in Galilee
[43:25] - Miracles vs. Obedience
[46:14] - John’s Purpose: That We Might Believe
[48:43] - Desperation and the Father’s Journey
[51:07] - Crisis Visits All People
[54:15] - Faith Steps Out in Uncertainty
[56:47] - Jesus’ Merciful Challenge
[59:52] - Faith Without Tangible Proof
[62:50] - The Power of Jesus’ Word
[65:48] - From Crisis Faith to Contagious Faith
[69:09] - Trusting God’s Sovereignty in Suffering
[71:48] - Prayer for Growing Faith

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 4:43-54 (ESV) — 43 After the two days he departed for Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.
46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

Observation Questions

What motivated the royal official to seek out Jesus, and what does this reveal about his situation? ([48:43])
How did Jesus respond to the official’s request, and what was unusual about his answer? ([56:47])
What did the official do after Jesus told him, “Go; your son will live”? How did he respond to Jesus’ word? ([59:52])
What was the result of the official’s faith, both for himself and for those around him? ([01:05:48])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus challenged the official (and the crowd) about seeking “signs and wonders” before believing? What does this say about the nature of faith? ([56:47])
The official believed Jesus’ word before he saw any evidence. What does this teach about the difference between faith and sight? ([59:52])
The sermon mentioned that faith is not about how much we have, but who we trust. How does the story illustrate this truth? ([38:18])
The official’s faith grew from desperation to confidence, and then became contagious. What factors contributed to this growth? ([01:05:48])

Application Questions

The official’s crisis drove him to Jesus. Can you think of a time when a crisis or desperate situation pushed you to seek God more earnestly? How did your faith change as a result? ([30:26])
Jesus gave the official only a word, not a visible miracle at first. Are there areas in your life where God is asking you to trust His word without seeing immediate results? What would it look like to “go” in faith this week? ([59:52])
The sermon said, “It is not the size of our faith, but the One in whom we place it, that makes the difference.” Are you more focused on trying to “have more faith,” or on knowing and trusting Jesus more deeply? How could you shift your focus? ([38:18])
The official’s faith became contagious and impacted his whole household. Who in your life might be influenced by seeing your faith in action, especially during hard times? ([01:05:48])
Not every story ends with the miracle we hope for. How do you respond when God doesn’t answer your prayers the way you want? What helps you keep trusting in God’s love and sovereignty even when the outcome is painful or hidden? ([01:09:09])
The sermon mentioned that God uses our desperation not to punish us, but to draw us closer and teach us to trust Him. Is there a current struggle or area of desperation in your life where you sense God inviting you to deeper trust? What step could you take to respond? ([30:26])
The official obeyed Jesus without seeing the result. Is there a specific area where you sense God calling you to obey, even though you can’t see how it will work out? What’s holding you back, and what would help you take that step? ([59:52])

Sermon Clips

Crises are often the crossroads of your life and for your faith. You can either blame God for your circumstances or you can believe God that he will use the trial that you are facing for his glory and your good. So this morning we're going to learn the exceeding value of a faith that trusts in God and continues to trust in God through the seasons of trouble. [00:30:44] (34 seconds) #TrustThroughTrials

Faith is more than just hoping in something. It's not a wish, it's not, you know, closing our eyes, crossing our fingers and say, God, I hope you're real. Essentially, faith is having the confidence that things yet future will happen the way that God has promised they will happen. Faith brings about then a certain conviction in the life of the believer that is formed by the Holy Spirit and it is always rooted in the truth of the gospel. [00:35:05] (34 seconds) #FaithIsConfidence

``For us as people who gather to sing God's praises and to be identified as a person that follows and knows Jesus Christ, we are placing our faith in the confident truth that a man was born into the world 2000 years ago and that he was like no other man that ever walked this world. That he was not just a teacher or a rabbi, he wasn't just a miracle worker, but he was God himself who stepped into this world to take our place and to die our death on a cross. [00:35:45] (33 seconds) #JesusIsGod

The issue isn't what you can do with faith, it's the object of your faith. The object of our faith is the problem, not the amount of faith, but who we believe to carry us through in those moments. And so we need to inform our faith to know who God is and how he works and what are his purposes and what is he wanting to accomplish in us. [00:39:20] (28 seconds) #FocusYourFaith

Let that serve as a reminder that crisis visits all people. It's not about how wealthy or prosperous you are. I think that's one of the lies that even creeps into the church, that if I have a faith in God he'll bless me and he'll keep all the problems of the world away from me. But if there's anything we see in this passage, crisis visits all people. Sickness and death do not escape the well off. [00:51:52] (34 seconds) #CrisisAffectsAll

This father is exercising faith without tangible proof. What's amazing about this passage, and I don't know if we always see it, but there are two miracles that happened that day. The first one was the healing of the son, and the second one was the healing of the noble man's heart. The father had nothing to go back to his son with except the word of Jesus. [01:02:01] (31 seconds) #FaithHealsHearts

Behind everything else in this story is the sovereign hand of God. Though the father could not see it in advance, his son was brought to the point of death that the entire family might be brought to eternal life. And you might not like hearing that this morning because it seems like we're just pawns on a big board that God is moving around to get what he wants, but that's not what is happening. It's the fact that God uses those moments in spite of them. [01:07:57] (32 seconds) #GodWorksAllForGood

When we are in the midst of desperate circumstances, we see only our problems and so we come to Jesus like begging children needing help. We need you Lord, come quickly, the world is falling apart, God, we only believe that you can help. And Jesus quietly says, go your way, be in peace. So do we have faith to go in peace? Do we trust him? When we do, we discover that Jesus is as good as his word has said. [01:08:40] (38 seconds) #FaithThatPleasesGod

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