When Faith Seems to Fail

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: Hebrews 11:30-34In this life, we will experience situations in which we’ve tried to trust in God and our faith seems to fail. What do we do when we face trials, tribulations, or heartaches, and faith doesn’t seem to remove them?Hebrews 11 gives us insight for those who struggle to endure when times get tough.First, this passage reminds us that mature faith believes in the supernatural power of God.“...who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong...” (Hebrews 11:33-34).Mature believers know that God can do anything but fail.Anyone who has walked with Jesus for a long time has had an experience that can’t be explained apart from His power.When reminded of the numerous miracles of God, we can be comforted to know that if God does not do something, it is not because He cannot.Second, mature faith bows to the sovereign purposes of God.“Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35).Sometimes, God’s ways are mysterious, but that doesn’t mean they’re weak. Many of the early Christians were martyred for their faith; many Christians around the world still are.God has not promised a life without difficulty. He has simply promised Himself. He will never leave or forsake us, especially when we face difficulty. We must hold onto the promise that, through Him, we have the ultimate victory over death.Finally, mature faith is based on the settled promises of God.“And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Hebrews 11:39-40).When faith seems to fail, it may be that we are asking for something that God never intended for us. We must remember that God has a wonderful plan, and He will bring it to pass. We can depend on His steadfast, eternal promises from Scripture.Adrian Rogers says, “Real faith is to center your life on Almighty God.”Apply it to your lifeDo you have the faith to endure trials and heartaches? Are you willing to let God be God, and to trust Him even when things don’t make sense?