And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. Romans 4:18-21 (NIV)
Our faith is refined by the enduring of hardships rather than the escaping from their jaws. Much akin to the gold in the fire to remove the dross, God uses our afflictions to make us more like the Savior, and we want that, believe me. We all love mountaintop experiences but there is no refutation of the hard work that it takes to get us there – and we don’t get to perpetually live on the mountaintop either – until heaven that is. Our lives as believers are to be a journey of faith and God gives us fullness of joy along the way as we trust in His mighty Hand for provision. Grace giving way to grace – just as the waves continually roll on in. And that faith pleases God. All of nature points to Him. His handiwork in exhibiting beauty radiates His power and love and vast wisdom. When we forget Who is in control and lean into our own understanding we can become confused and disoriented. We need only to look up – and fix our eyes on Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith. As we grow in our faith, it brings God much glory. We are not in control, He is. We can trust Him with our lives and the lives of all we hold dear. We must always look up, not in. He provides us with a proper focus of Who is in control and our purpose is to have faith in Him which brings Him glory – just like all of nature does.
God is always at work both in nature bringing beauty and in us building faith. He is the great Creator and His power, wisdom and creativity are unlimited and unmatched. His mighty Hand is on all things and no plan of His can be thwarted. Our grumbling, whining and complaining neither brings Him glory nor us any good. We are to rely on His promises and not our own strength as He is supremely wise, strong, good and trustworthy. And He is glorified when the power to be holy comes through humble faith in future grace.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1-2 (NIV)