Have you ever had a crisis of faith?
If you don't know what I am talking about, it's a phrase I learned from Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God. If you have never done this Bible study, I highly recommend it!
Christians experience a crisis of faith when they sense God telling them to do something and they have to decide if they will obey. I would like to believe it's never a decision to obey but simply an automatic reflex. However, let's be honest. Many times, it's something we have to decide.
Will we obey?
Will we ignore that still, small voice and quench the Holy Spirit's work in our lives?
Think about the Israelites when the twelve spies went to look at The Promised Land. Do you remember the story? You can read the story in its entirety in Numbers 13. If you don't want to read it all, I will summarize it here.
The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness for nearly 40 years, and the time had come for them to get a peek at the Promised Land. Moses appointed twelve tribal leaders to slip into the land and bring back a report. After 40 days exploring the land, the spies returned with a report.
While all twelve were amazed at the land--truly flowing with milk and honey, with grape clusters so large it required two men to carry them--they were also amazed at the size of the inhabitants.
This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak!...“We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” 32 So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge.33 We even saw giants[b]there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” Numbers 13:27-28, 31-33
Ten of the men were terrified! And they spread that terror amongst the Israelites. When faced with a crisis of faith, they chose to focus on the size of the giants standing between them and God's promises.
But not Joshua and Caleb! While all ten men saw the same things in the Promised Land, Joshua and Caleb came back with a different mentality.
But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” Joshua 13:30
Joshua and Caleb were completely sold-out to God! They were focused on God's promises, not the problems between them and the fulfillment of those promises. They were focused on the character of God, His goodness and grace and faithfulness. They were focused on the promises He made rather than the obstacles.
Joshua and Caleb came through their crisis of faith with their faith in tact--and eventually they were rewarded for never doubting God. (If you remember, Joshua became the leader of the Israelites when Moses passed away.)
So what about you? Have you ever experienced a crisis of faith?
The crisis of faith can be anything.
When God tells you to walk away from a destructive marriage and you have no idea how you will survive.
When God tells you to give up a high-paying job with no plan B.
When God tells you to let go of someone you love.
When God tells you to hang in there just a little longer.
When God tells you heartbreak is coming.
When God tells you to hold onto your dream just a little bit longer.
A couple of months ago, I sensed God telling me that a trial was coming. I knew it would be a crisis of faith, but I had no idea what.
What I do know is that God has repeatedly reminded me that all things work together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
He told me to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness knowing He will take care of all my needs (Matthew 6:33).
He has told me that He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me (Jeremiah 29:11).
He has reminded me that there's a power at work within me, a power that is able to do above and beyond anything I could ever ask, hope, or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
Over and over, He has poured out His promises over me, reminding me that HIs way is contrary to the wisdom of this world. He's repeatedly told me that my obedience is the gateway to His greatest blessings.
All I have to do is act like Joshua and Caleb, and not the other ten spies.
So what will I do? Walk forward into an unknown future with a God who has always been faithful? Or will I focus on the giants in this beautiful land, the giants that stand between me and the Promised Land of purpose He has for me?
