WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD

DEVELOPED FAITH - by Mary Toll

"Without faith, it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)

Cheryl believed that her husband Danny would attend church with her and leave his alcoholic lifestyle behind. Each Sunday service, she would reserve a seat for Danny right next to her as though he were there. By being a doer of the Word and not a hearer only, she exercised her faith in God (James 1:2). She prayed, "Thank you, Lord, that Danny is the spiritual leader in our home. That is your will" (Ephesians 5:23).

Cheryl's actions sound crazy, but what about the Shulamite woman, whose faith in God's power raised her dead son to life? As she sought after the prophet Elisha to revive the boy from death, someone asked her, "Is all well with the child?" She responded, "It is well" (2 Kings 4:26). Both Cheryl and the Shulamite woman were walking by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). 

Crying outdoors, one winter evening, Cheryl felt discouraged that Danny hadn't changed. Then she spotted a swollen moon looming about as if it were going to collide with Earth. Capturing the terrifying image on her camera, it didn't appear anything like she'd seen with her naked eye. Miraculously, it resembled a glorious star instead... rays of light spiraled from its nucleus, pulsating like the noon-day sun in the pitch-colored sky. 

Cheryl was encouraged. Just because her situation appeared overwhelming and scary, like the moon, it didn't mean God wasn't working behind the scenes. Trials can develop our faith, strengthen our hearts, and change our lives through God's word. "The moon will shine like the sun...when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people…and heals their wounds..."(Isaiah 30:26).