Unwavering Faith: Trusting God's Promises Through Trials

 

Summary

Abraham's faith is a profound example of unwavering trust in God's promises, despite seemingly insurmountable odds. Abraham, nearly 100 years old, was promised by God that he and Sarah would have a child, a promise that seemed impossible from a human perspective. Yet, Abraham's faith was rooted in his deep understanding of God's attributes: His righteousness, justice, truth, holiness, and unchangeability. Abraham recognized that God never makes promises lightly or thoughtlessly. Unlike humans, who often make promises without fully considering the implications, God sees every factor and circumstance from beginning to end. This understanding led Abraham to trust that God would fulfill His promise, regardless of the natural impossibilities.

Faith, as demonstrated by Abraham, is not merely a belief in favorable outcomes but a profound trust in God's character and His ability to fulfill His promises. It is a faith that glorifies God by acknowledging His truth and trusting in it utterly. This kind of faith is not without trials; in fact, the greatest men of faith often endure the most significant challenges. Yet, it is in these trials that their faith shines most gloriously, as they continue to trust God despite the circumstances.

The essence of faith is not in its strength but in its object—God Himself. Faith is not about self-assurance or self-persuasion but about a quiet confidence in God's faithfulness. It is a gift from God, not something we can conjure up on our own. True faith is characterized by a deep knowledge of God and a consistent application of that knowledge in our lives. It is not about looking at ourselves or our faith but about looking to God and His promises.

To develop strong faith, one must immerse themselves in the knowledge of God through His Word, meditate on His promises, and apply this understanding in daily life. It is a process that takes time and is grounded in a personal relationship with God. Ultimately, faith is about glorifying God by trusting in His faithfulness and resting in His promises.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Promises and Attributes: Abraham's faith was rooted in his understanding of God's attributes—His righteousness, justice, truth, holiness, and unchangeability. This understanding assured him that God's promises are never made lightly and are always fulfilled. [14:16]

- Faith in Trials: The greatest men of faith often face the most significant trials. It is in these moments of testing that their faith glorifies God the most, as they continue to trust Him despite the circumstances. [20:42]

- The Essence of Faith: True faith is not about self-assurance or self-persuasion but about a quiet confidence in God's faithfulness. It is a gift from God, characterized by a deep knowledge of Him and a consistent application of that knowledge. [44:08]

- Developing Strong Faith: To develop strong faith, one must immerse themselves in the knowledge of God through His Word, meditate on His promises, and apply this understanding in daily life. It is a process that takes time and is grounded in a personal relationship with God. [49:03]

- Faith Glorifies God: Faith is about glorifying God by trusting in His faithfulness and resting in His promises. It is not about looking at ourselves or our faith but about looking to God and His promises. [46:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [13:38] - Attributes of God
- [14:32] - Abraham's Promise
- [15:01] - God's Unchanging Nature
- [16:24] - God's Ability to Fulfill Promises
- [17:50] - Faith Beyond Human Impossibility
- [19:16] - Insult of Unbelief
- [20:42] - Faith in Trials
- [22:33] - Degrees of Faith
- [24:52] - Examples of Faith
- [30:04] - Knowledge and Application
- [32:34] - Faith vs. Foolhardiness
- [37:28] - Misunderstanding God's Promises
- [40:34] - Nature of True Faith
- [46:11] - Faith Glorifies God
- [49:03] - Developing Strong Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 4:20-21 - "He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
2. James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
3. Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

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Observation Questions:

1. How did Abraham's understanding of God's attributes influence his faith in God's promises? [14:16]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of God's promises compared to human promises? [15:01]
3. According to the sermon, how does faith glorify God, especially during trials? [20:42]
4. What are the two main factors mentioned in the sermon that determine the strength of our faith? [30:04]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Abraham's faith serve as an example of trusting in God's unchangeable nature, as described in James 1:17? [16:06]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith is a gift from God rather than something we can create on our own? [44:08]
3. How does the concept of "faith glorifying God" challenge common perceptions of faith as merely a personal belief system? [46:11]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between knowledge of God and the development of strong faith? [30:18]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a promise from God that you find difficult to believe. How can Abraham's example encourage you to trust in God's faithfulness despite natural impossibilities? [18:44]
2. Consider a recent trial you faced. How did your faith respond, and in what ways can you glorify God more in future challenges? [20:42]
3. Identify one attribute of God that you struggle to fully trust. How can you deepen your understanding of this attribute to strengthen your faith? [14:16]
4. What practical steps can you take this week to immerse yourself in the knowledge of God through His Word, as suggested in the sermon? [49:03]
5. Think of a situation where you might have relied on self-assurance rather than faith in God's promises. How can you shift your focus to God's faithfulness in similar situations? [44:08]
6. How can you apply the principle of "holding on to the faithfulness of God" in a specific area of your life where you feel uncertain or anxious? [45:19]
7. Reflect on your current relationship with God. What specific actions can you take to cultivate a deeper personal relationship with Him, thereby developing stronger faith? [49:18]

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Unchanging Promises
Abraham's faith was deeply rooted in his understanding of God's attributes—His righteousness, justice, truth, holiness, and unchangeability. This profound understanding assured Abraham that God's promises are never made lightly and are always fulfilled. Unlike humans, who may make promises without fully considering the implications, God sees every factor and circumstance from beginning to end. Abraham's unwavering trust in God's promises, despite the natural impossibilities, serves as a powerful example of faith. His story reminds us that faith is not about the likelihood of favorable outcomes but about trusting in the character and faithfulness of God. [14:16]

"For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." (Psalm 33:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a promise from God that seems impossible in your life. How can you deepen your understanding of God's attributes to trust Him more fully today?


Day 2: Faith Shines Brightest in Trials
The greatest men of faith often face the most significant trials, and it is in these moments of testing that their faith glorifies God the most. Abraham's journey was not without challenges, yet his faith remained steadfast. This teaches us that true faith is not about avoiding difficulties but about trusting God through them. Trials are opportunities for our faith to shine, as they reveal the depth of our trust in God's promises. When we continue to trust God despite our circumstances, we glorify Him and demonstrate the strength of our faith. [20:42]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current trial you are facing. How can you view this challenge as an opportunity for your faith to glorify God?


Day 3: The True Essence of Faith
True faith is not about self-assurance or self-persuasion but about a quiet confidence in God's faithfulness. It is a gift from God, characterized by a deep knowledge of Him and a consistent application of that knowledge. Faith is not about looking at ourselves or our faith but about looking to God and His promises. This understanding shifts the focus from our abilities to God's unchanging nature and His ability to fulfill His promises. By cultivating a deep knowledge of God, we can develop a faith that is steadfast and glorifies Him. [44:08]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from your own abilities to God's faithfulness today?


Day 4: Immersing in God's Word to Develop Strong Faith
To develop strong faith, one must immerse themselves in the knowledge of God through His Word, meditate on His promises, and apply this understanding in daily life. This process takes time and is grounded in a personal relationship with God. By consistently engaging with Scripture and reflecting on God's promises, we can strengthen our faith and trust in His faithfulness. This journey of faith is not about instant results but about a lifelong commitment to knowing God more deeply and applying His truths in our lives. [49:03]

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally immerse yourself in God's Word this week to deepen your faith?


Day 5: Faith as a Means to Glorify God
Faith is about glorifying God by trusting in His faithfulness and resting in His promises. It is not about looking at ourselves or our faith but about looking to God and His promises. When we trust God, we acknowledge His truth and glorify Him through our faith. This perspective shifts the focus from our circumstances to God's unchanging nature and His ability to fulfill His promises. By resting in God's faithfulness, we can live lives that glorify Him and reflect His love to the world. [46:11]

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can choose to glorify God by trusting in His promises today?

Quotes


Faith is thus that which always glorifies God. Faith is to believe God simply and solely because he is God. Nothing glorifies God more than this. Nothing is so insulting to God as not to believe that. Now that's the great lesson here, and so you will find that the men who have glorified God most of all in this world have been these Great Men of Faith. [00:19:35]

The essence of faith is not in its strength but in its object—God Himself. Faith is not about self-assurance or self-persuasion but about a quiet confidence in God's faithfulness. It is a gift from God, not something we can conjure up on our own. True faith is characterized by a deep knowledge of God and a consistent application of that knowledge in our lives. [00:44:08]

Faith is about glorifying God by trusting in His faithfulness and resting in His promises. It is not about looking at ourselves or our faith but about looking to God and His promises. Faith looks at God, holds on to the faithfulness of God, and as long as you do that, you can't go wrong. [00:46:11]

To develop strong faith, one must immerse themselves in the knowledge of God through His Word, meditate on His promises, and apply this understanding in daily life. It is a process that takes time and is grounded in a personal relationship with God. Ultimately, faith is about glorifying God by trusting in His faithfulness and resting in His promises. [00:49:03]

Faith is not something natural in men. It is spiritual; it is the gift of God. It is only Christian people who have faith. You can't have faith and not be a Christian; it's impossible. Faith is not something natural in men. [00:42:08]

Faith is holding on to the faithfulness of God. You see, the reference is to God. Faith is holding on to the faithfulness of God, and as long as you do that, you can't go wrong. So I would sum it up in this way: Faith does not look at itself. Faith never looks to itself. [00:45:10]

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. That's the great characteristic of these wonderful heroes of the faith, isn't it? Look how they went through life. No, no, there was this profound assurance based upon their deep knowledge of God. [00:44:30]

Faith is not just persuading ourselves or arguing desperately that we really do believe. Come back again to Mark 11. This is the verse that's misinterpreted: Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. [00:42:32]

Faith is something that is given. I believe that as God spoke to Abram, he was giving him the faith to believe it. Nothing natural in Abram that responded to God. No, no, faith is given. Faith is in us, and therefore it is something which always is a quiet confidence in God. [00:43:15]

Faith is not about self-assurance or self-persuasion but about a quiet confidence in God's faithfulness. It is a gift from God, not something we can conjure up on our own. True faith is characterized by a deep knowledge of God and a consistent application of that knowledge in our lives. [00:44:08]

Faith is not something natural in men. It is spiritual; it is the gift of God. It is only Christian people who have faith. You can't have faith and not be a Christian; it's impossible. Faith is not something natural in men. [00:42:08]

Faith is about glorifying God by trusting in His faithfulness and resting in His promises. It is not about looking at ourselves or our faith but about looking to God and His promises. Faith looks at God, holds on to the faithfulness of God, and as long as you do that, you can't go wrong. [00:46:11]

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Transcript
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