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Day 29: Your Faith Will Be Tested
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You recognizing that in this life we will face trials and difficulties that test our faith. Help us to embrace times of testing with endurance, seeing them as opportunities to have our trust in You strengthened and proven genuine. Give us wisdom to lean fully on Your sustaining grace during hard seasons. May Your promises of care and provision rooted deeply within us, so that even in the midst of troubles we find our hope and security in You alone. Prepare our hearts now through Your Word to stand firm when our faith is challenged. May the time we spend reflecting on how You refine us deepen our trust that You are always in control and working in us through every circumstance. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture Reading and Reflection
James 1:2-4 KJV
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Reflection:
The Scriptures make it clear that as believers, we will face trials and difficulties meant to prove the genuineness of our faith. God allows testing so that “the proven character of your faith…may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7) Testing strengthens us and causes our roots to grow deeper in Christ. James encourages us to “consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3) Hard times force us to rely on God rather than our own strength. Through difficulties, the qualities of endurance and character are developed within us. God uses testing as a refining process, making our faith “more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire.” (1 Peter 1:7) Job recognized that God is intimately acquainted with our way and “when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10) We can be confident that no matter the trial, God is faithful to sustain us and work all things for good. While times of testing are never comfortable, may we find courage through God’s promises that difficulties produce perseverance. As our faith withstands trials, we are made stronger and deeper in relationship with our Lord. Though struggles may shake us, God’s refining process ultimately shapes us into the image of Christ. When we view struggles as opportunities to increase in godliness and dependence on God, our genuine faith will result in joyfully praising Jesus. Through it all, He remains faithful to complete the good work He started in us.Hymn:
Tried Is Every Faithful Man
1 Tried is every faithful man, As gold and silver tried, Purged by grief, and purged by pain, And seven times purified: All who stand the fiery test, Receive Thine image from above, Bear Thy favorite name impressed, Thy favorite name of love.
2 Brought into the fire I am, And Thou wilt bring me through, I shall call upon Thy name, With all the creatures new; I shall prove Thine utmost word, Brightened with Thy glory, shine, Claimed by Thee, shall claim my Lord Through endless ages mine.
Lyrics: Charles Wesley, Music: George Merritt
Creative Activities: 1. Scripture Writing
Write out James 1:2-4 in your best handwriting on the Scripture writing page which you can download below.
Please download the Scripture Writing Page below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only.
Commercial use not allowed.
Download Scripture Writing Page
Creative Activities: 2. Bible Journaling
- Highlight promises of God’s faithfulness in difficulties. Express prayers of trust in His sovereign plan.
- Underline verses about endurance and character being strengthened through hardship. Note ways to grow through present challenges.
- Doodle symbols of refinement by fire around passages focusing on Christ being revealed at His return.
- Freely add drawings, words or colors that express relying on Jesus alone when troubles come.
- Journal poems, Scripture confessions or prayers pouring out your heart during pressing times.
- Sketch scenes from biblical characters facing tests that proved their dependence on God.
Creative Activities: 3. Doodling
- Sketch swirling designs symbolizing being comforted by His unwavering presence despite difficulties.
- Doodle repeated words/phrases of truth that strengthen your endurance through pressing seasons.
- Draw people or scenes from Bible stories where faith was tested but God proved faithful.
- Scribble abstract shapes expressing confidence that trials produce Christ-likeness within.
- Doodle around verses about hard times strengthening dependence on Jesus alone.
- Shade/doodle freely as a spiritual act of worshipping the Refiner who works in you.
Download Doodle Printable
Creative Activities: 4. Journaling
Reflect and Journal:
- What lessons could God be teaching you through present trials in your life, and how can you grow in depending on Him through this time of testing?
Download Journal Printable
Applying and Taking Action
- In what specific area does God want you to deepen trust? Ask Him to strengthen your endurance there.
- Seek encouragement from others also facing difficulties. Your shared burdens will lighten each other’s load.
- Determine daily to express gratitude and find joy even amid hard places by focusing on God’s goodness.
- Commit to regular Bible intake and prayer for perspective beyond circumstances.
- Ask God for eyes to see trials as opportunities rather than endless problems. Cooperate with His refining work.
- Look for ways to serve others experiencing troubles. Generously giving will enlarge your heart.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You that in Your sovereignty You are at work in our lives through both easy and difficult seasons. Help us to see trials as opportunities to draw nearer to You and deepen our trust in Your unchanging love. Grant us persevering faith to welcome hard times as avenues You use to shape us more into the image of Christ. As we face various tests, strengthen our resolve to find our security and joy only in You. May Your promises rooted deeply within empower grateful praise even amid pressing moments. Guide our paths of obedience now as we walk by faith. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
If you have been blessed by this Creative Lent Devotional, please share it with others. Many thanks. God bless you!
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