Tested faith
We all enjoy seeing someone win, and the harder the test, the greater the victory! Think of a sports competition, a new world record, or a graduation after many tough exams. All these might be hard to pass or win, but they encourage perseverance and effort, and reward it with honour and satisfaction. So it is for our faith, as we heard on Sunday from Matthew 15:21-28. Jesus tested the great faith of the Canaanite woman and she is commended for it! Her great faith was answered, and her daughter healed.
It’s so important that we remember this truth, so we can face trials and testing with trust in God. After all, God is too good and wise to make mistakes. He’s not trying to cast us down. Rather, He is in it for the good of his children, even though that may be difficult and painful to see in the moment (compare Hebrews 12). Let’s study God’s purposes in whatever he ordains in our lives, so we can remember them when difficulty arises – and they will eventually!
Then we’ll be prepared – by God’s grace – to heed James’ counter-intuitive call: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3). Pure joy? Yes, not for the trial itself, but for what it brings. Through the trial, our faith is no longer untested, but tried and proven. Not only for ourselves, but for all those around us too. Through such trials, our Sovereign God becomes greater, Christ more wonderful, and the things of this world find their proper place. Like that Canaanite woman, let’s in faith cling fervently to Jesus, our compassionate and powerful Saviour!
Klaas-Jan Gunnink