When Faith is Shaken

hand reaching up from water for saving help

Sometimes, people think that God's promises are too good to be true. They believe for a while, but when difficulties arise, they can quickly lose their faith. The Israelites are a good example of how this happens.

When Moses first came out of the wilderness to lead the sons of Israel out of the land of bondage, the people responded with hope.

Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites, and Aaron relayed everything the LORD had said to Moses. And Moses performed the signs before the people, and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped.
Exodus 4:29-31

In their affliction, they had cried out to God and were comforted and hopeful when they learned that God had not only heard them, but answered them through miraculous signs and promises of freedom. They heard what Moses had to say, through Aaron, and responded with worshiping the God of their fathers.

However, things didn't go as smoothly as they had hoped and, in fact, took a turn for the worse. Pharaoh rejected God's message and hardened his heart, bringing more severe conditions upon the Israelites. The people were quickly discouraged and blamed Moses.

Moses went back to the Lord and questioned what had happened. He questioned God's call on his life. He thought God had failed His people.

But God had a plan.

God informed Moses that this situation would allow His glory to be seen and that He would act with strength and judgment. He assured Moses that He indeed had established a covenant with Israel, promising them an inheritance. He renewed His promise to deliver them and His desire to be known by them.

"Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.

I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

And I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD!’”

Moses relayed this message to the Israelites, but on account of their broken spirit and cruel bondage, they did not listen to him.
Exodus 6:6-9

God did not stop working on their behalf just because they doubted His word. He continued to direct Moses and fulfilled His plan to free Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh. During the plagues, God demonstrated His mighty power and then set apart Israel, protecting them from the plagues, that everyone would know He had chosen them for His purpose.

But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen, where My people live; no swarms of flies will be found there. In this way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land.
Exodus 8:22

Israel's faith was restored, and they were ready to obey God's command by the time the last plague was enacted. They even found favor in the sight of the Egyptians as they claimed their freedom.

Peter's Doubt

Another instance of faith being shaken by difficulties is found in the New Testament when Peter took a giant step of faith in the middle of a storm. After witnessing the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, the disciples were in a boat crossing the sea when a storm came up and impeded their progress.

In the early morning hours, Jesus approached them – walking on the sea! They were terrified by what they thought was a ghost! Jesus spoke to them immediately to identify Himself and calm their fears.

Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.” “Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”

Peter, emboldened by faith, eagerly stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water towards Jesus. But he soon took his eyes off of Jesus and put them on the circumstances surrounding him, immediately beginning to sink into the water; yet, in his fear he called out to Jesus. His prayer was immediately answered. His faith was restored.  Jesus was glorified.

What Should We Do?

So, the question now is, what should we do when our faith is shaken by circumstances?

Knowing that we aren't the first to encounter this, we can look to Scripture for God's answers when we walk through challenging times.

Romans 10:12, 17

The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

The key is hearing God's Word. We have a tremendous advantage, in that we have all of the Bible available and can readily turn to it.  

Looking Ahead to our Future

Paul knew that we would face difficulties and endure sufferings, so he gave us the bigger picture in Romans chapter 8. First, he assures us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ – that is, our sins are covered by His blood. We have been set free by the sacrifice of Jesus and have the Spirit of God living in us.

He reminds us in verse 18 that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that is to come. We long for that day, but we also wait patiently and can be confident that the Holy Spirit will help us and even intercedes for us.

And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

Even as God had a plan bigger than the Israelites could imagine, God has a plan for us. God will use the sufferings of those who belong to Him to bring a greater glory. Truly, God has His best in store for us.  We need only to believe, wait, and obey Him to see His glory revealed.

What then shall we say in response to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all,
how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?


... For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Romans 8:31-37 i

Scripture taken from the Berean Standard Bible in the public domain.


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