Acknowledging Our Helplessness

One of the most important verses in scripture is in the apostle Peter’s first letter. He speaks of the necessity of having our faith tested. “That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” (1 Peter 1:7 NKJV).

This passage suggests that God is saying, “Your faith is more precious to me than all the wealth of this world, which will one day disappear. When the enemy sends all manner of evil against you, I want you to be able to stand strong with unshakable faith. I will keep you through every dark day. Your part is to simply have faith in me. I will keep you by my power.”

God wants to help us stand strong, but he also wants us to move ahead. The apostle Paul writes, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man. But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Why would he be interested in keeping us mired in temptation and affliction? He doesn’t get any glory from testing his children. His glory comes from the results.

The children of Israel were brought to the Red Sea for a reason. God had led them to the very brink of destruction. They were surrounded by mountains on two sides, a sea on the third, and an approaching enemy on the fourth. Why? Because he wanted his people to acknowledge their helplessness. He wanted to hear them say, “We remember how God delivered us from the plagues, and how he brought us out of terrible affliction where we made bricks without straw and had no rest. God delivered us then, and he will do it again!”

Our Lord wants to hear the same from us. He will protect us from every enemy that comes against us. When we are trapped and helpless, let's rejoice in his faithfulness. He is God, and he will keep his promises!