Bible Study

Title: Faith for Tough Times
Date: Oct 20, 2005
Topic(s): Faith/Trust
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Romans 10:17, Hebrews 11:6, Galatians 5:22, Hebrews 12:2

<  previous date

next date  >

In life, it's often the tough times that help teach us the most about faith. That's been true for the people of God from the times of the Bible right up to today. We discover for ourselves the timeless truth of Scripture--persistent faith is never shaken by the adversities of life.

What Does God Say?

The apostle Paul knew about persistent faith and described it for us:

"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, NLT).

• From the above verses, list three consequences of tough times and how faith helps us.

Dr. Woodrow Kroll, teacher for the radio ministry of Back to the Bible, reminds us of the value and necessity of faith for facing life:

Whatever the adversities are that you're facing--they may be physical; they may be financial; maybe they're marital; maybe they're personal--whatever the tough things you're facing in life may be today, the only thing that will stand up to your adversity is faith.

This is the kind of faith that pleases God and gives us the confidence that God will take us through the tough times.

"So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6, NLT).

My Thoughts

To have faith in the character of God means that you believe with all your heart that God will never leave you in the middle of your adversity. He will not cause you to walk through the valley of the shadow of death alone; He will walk with you hand in hand. God will never leave you no matter what.

Then your faith, your persistent faith, will be able to stand up against your adversity. There is no adversity in life that is stronger than faith in God.

My Part

Don't wait until the tough times come before you get serious about having a strong and maturing faith. What does the Bible teach us about increasing our faith? List the key below each verse.

• "Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news--the Good News about Christ" (Romans 10:17, NLT).
• "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness" (Galatians 5:22, NLT).
• "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2, NIV).

Options

• Print Format
• Email a friend
• Help us provide Bible Minute

Search: