Psalm 116:10 I believed; therefore I said,
“I am greatly afflicted.”

This is an anonymous Psalm, but that in no way detracts from the depth and beauty of the faith displayed or the power of the truth expressed. For this particular verse, the Japanese goes with the translation that the NIV expresses as a footnote: “I believed even when I said…” I like that very much, because it speaks to the life experience of every believer. As Jesus said, in this world we will/do have troubles. (John 16:33) There are those who are so fixated on “positive confession” that they won’t admit what is staring them in the face. It is not “unbelief” to acknowledge problems; faith comes in trusting that God is far greater than the problems. I think God may give different “flavors” of faith to different people. It is certainly unwise to insist that everyone have the same sort of faith you do. That is in essence saying that faith is something we work up, rather than a gift we accept from God. (Ephesians 2:8-9) I personally feel that a major purpose in God allowing all sorts of difficulties into our lives is this very act of choosing to accept the faith He offers. We sometimes think of faith in very esoteric terms, when really it boils down to trust. It’s like a child who may be in very real pain, but when they know Daddy is there they can bear it. That’s what this verse is talking about.

I’ve had my moments of having to choose to believe, and I know I will have more. I can’t say that the prospect is exciting, but I know that God is more than able to get me through whatever lies ahead. I have very little anxiety about my own death, but I certainly don’t like to dwell on the prospect of my wife preceding me. I stumble and make stupid mistakes all the time, but God is more than able to get me back on my feet. As a pastor I frequently deal with people who have difficulty really trusting God in practical terms. They are kind of like, “I know Jesus died for my sins, but what about my child’s education?” You don’t get past a mountain by insisting the mountain isn’t there, you either go around it or you start climbing. I need to help people ask God which course they should take, and both recognize and trust His answer. Again I am faced with the reality that I can’t change anyone’s heart or mind, but I can be useful to God for Him to do so. I am to cover each relationship, each interaction in prayer, asking and trusting God to use it to bless people for His glory.

Father, thank You again for Your gracious patience toward me. Help me remember that always, so that I may express it toward those to whom I minister. May we continue to grow, as individuals and as a church, so that we may destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and walk in all that You intend for us, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!