Faith that Moves Forward
Learning from David’s response when his own people wanted to stone him because of the war that had devastated the city, we see a powerful example of godly leadership. David paused and turned to God, asking, “Should I pursue the enemy and overtake them, or should I let them go?” As the preacher pointed out, he did not rush into a decision, nor did he act out of rage or vengeance. Instead, he sought God’s face for the next step.
Scripture makes it clear that salvation does not exempt us from challenges; rather, Christ promises His presence with us in times of trouble. Adversity can come through attacks from the enemy, the consequences of our own sins, situations of our own making, or as a test of faithfulness. The psalmist declares, “For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes” (Psalm 119:83).
When adversity comes as an attack, God specializes in turning evil plans for good, but we must allow Him to work. At times, He also uses uncomfortable circumstances to prune and refine us. In every situation, we must ask ourselves: Where is God in this? As the preacher said, what separates those who survive adversity from those who drown in it is surrender, not surrender to the situation, but surrender to God. When we lay down our fears and concerns before Him, seek His direction, and wait for clarity, we are empowered to move by faith. We do not rush ahead blindly, yet we do not hesitate once God leads.
This, however, is not the only way God responds. Sometimes, as in Paul’s experience after repeated prayers, God says, “You will go through the fire, but I will be with you. My strength is made perfect in weakness, and My grace is sufficient for you.” Even Jesus Himself walked through intense suffering, and God did not remove Him from it because that fire served an eternal purpose.
This truth reminds me of the Fort McMurray fire, the disaster that emptied an entire city into uncertainty. As flames engulfed the roads and the trees burned fiercely, smoke and fire swept through the city. During that time, a story resurfaced about a young woman caught in a massive storm while driving. At one point, the storm was so intense that it seemed impossible to continue, and turning back felt like the only option. She called her father, who calmly instructed her to keep driving forward and not turn back. Though many drivers had already retreated to find another route, her father assured her that the storm was moving in one direction. If she pressed on, it would eventually pass. Trusting his voice, she continued, and in time, the storm eased.
The preacher outlined four practical applications: the Four Es for navigating adversity:
1. Escape – Do not desperately flee the situation at the first sign of discomfort.
2. Experience – Allow yourself to feel the pain; suffering can refine and enlighten us.
3. Endure – Persevere through the circumstances, reminding yourself, “You’ve got this.”
4. Extract – Ask what God wants to produce through the pain: wisdom, maturity, and things of eternal value. As the preacher said, “What is this producing in me that nothing else could?” Hope does not collapse under pressure, and resilience is replenished when its source is God.
In adversity, we are always faced with decisions, and those decisions speak loudly about our lives. Everyone will encounter uncomfortable seasons at some point. The assurance for those who trust in God is that He will never abandon them. The storm will pass, and in time, all will be well.
