A brother asked me before,
"What we should do when we lost faith."
"What you mean by 'lost faith'?"
"Sometime there is situation when we want to believe or trust in God, but we just don't have the faith to trust, i.e. lost faith."
In our life, we always face troubles and adversities, and maybe even calamities. So what we should do? Everyone knows what we should trust God, even when life hurts. Of course it is simple to say, but when come to the practical part, how many of us can do it?
Although theoretically we know that we should trust God in all circumstance, although we know that we must look God through the lens of faith, and not through the lens of our circumstances, yet how many of us can do it?
Many times in my life when I faced trouble, I always asked "WHY?!" I start to doubt. But this is just a mild case, in severe case something we can really "lost our faith"! After some thinking, I was kind of worry, though I haven't face a situation that can lost my faith, yet I know in the future, this thing might happen.
Everyone knows we are justified by faith, everyone knows we are saved by faith. But what is faith? Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)
But where is this faith come from? From ourself? Obviously no, because we know that For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Let's listen to this account in Gospel of Mark 9:14-23 before we proceed.
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
"What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.
A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"
"From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
"'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
The father was in great dispair and out of solution to cure his son. He knows Jesus can perform miracles. He ask from His help. But Jesus said, "If you can believe", i.e. He want that father to believe or trust fully in Him.
But maybe this father do not understand how Jesus can do it, or what is the mechanism for miracle to happen, i.e. he doubt, he don't have enough faith to trust Jesus to do miracle. So he is some sorts of like 'lost faith'. But he knows that he don't have or choice, he know by himself he can't do anything to cure his son, because he is just a sinner like us! So he want to believe in the power of Jesus to do it.
But this fellow know that we NEVER have this faith at all to believe or trust God, we NEVER have it! Is not from ourself! It is a gift of God! He gave it to us, by gace He gave it to us! So...
Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. (Mark 9:27)
So brothers and sister, in our life have you ever doubt the providence of God? Are you in a difficult situation where you can trust God? You want to trust God but don't have enough faith? Then cry out to God and ask him to help us to overcome our unbelief! Ask Him to give us this faith to trust in His unfailing love, ask Him give us this ability to believe in His providence. Remember God said "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) His grace is sufficient! If we ask, He will give us enough faith to trust in him. And remember He also said "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
Have you believe in the only one who was sent by God?
If no, pray for the faith to believe in him.
If yes, pray for the faith to continue to trust in His providential love.
Remember, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)
