Umm don't mind this. I can't access my blog, and I just typed this all out. So I need to put it somewhere, and this is the only place I can think of. So there.

Faith is not bravado. Nor is it something you call upon to pretend that everything is alright when you clearly believe otherwise. Faith is different. Faith endures. Faith works.

Today, I learnt about the importance of developing a lasting faith. My preliminary examination results were returned, and I was stunned. I could not make any sense out of them. “I did everything right!” I thought. “How could everything have gone wrong?”
Evidently, something did go wrong. I did proclaim an assuredness arising from confidence in God. I did say, “All that I do, I do to honour Him.” Indeed, I do. But I had completely missed the point. Then, I did not understand why we Christians are called to work hard for a living. I had proclaimed, “Faith!”, but only a faith interspersed with human bluster.

In the aftermath of the release of results, I took time out to seek God’s guidance. He led me to the classic tale of David and Goliath. I cried, “Why Lord, why? I need understanding; I need comfort! Why bring me to David and Goliath?” God nudged for me to read on.

Everyone knows why David defeated Goliath. David had faith in God. He completely trusted God, knowing that God would deliver him from the enemy. That is perfectly right. However, many of us have become so familiar with the story that we miss out on its spiritual meaning.

Why was Goliath confident? For many reasons. First, he prides himself in his battle victories. The Bible writes that Goliath was a Philistine champion. Second, he prides himself in his natural ability (size). He is perfect for battle because of his size. His size strikes fear into the enemy troops. Third, he prides himself on his equipment. Goliath “wore bronze leggings, and he slung a bronze javelin over his back. The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver’s beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed fifteen pounds. An armour bearer walked ahead of him carrying a huge shield.” Wow. I would certainly have problems with arrogance if I could carry equipment others have trouble even lifting!

Contrast Goliath to David. David was certainly confident. In fact, he seemed almost nonchalant towards the ability of the Philistine. The only thing on David’s mind was the honour of his God. “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”

Contrast this with your life. Will God ever leave you to fend for yourself? Will He ever abandon you? No. Then why are we so easily shaken when facing obstacles? When circumstances go awry, how can a Christian sink into depression, or say (and mean), “I’m doomed!” This same person, once counselled, may say, “Yes, I have faith! I believe that God will help me.” Yes. God will help, but do you believe He will? Genuinely?

The proclamation of faith is often used in despair, when a person desperately wants to believe that things will turn out well, and will settle for anything to pretend that things will turn out well. It does not work that way.
Look at David. Did he proclaim a confidence in God because he did not believe that Goliath could be defeated? No. His faith showed because He truly believed that God would bring him victory. His faith arose from the inside. It was not something he plastered on the outside.

David had such great faith because he trusted God in the little things. The little faith he began with was exercised each time a bear or wild animal came to disturb his flock, and his faith grew. With each trial, his faith was matured to the point that he could walk into a valley to face an armed, and experienced giant warrior and have no fear whatsoever.

For those disheartened by their results: start studying now. Have faith in the little things. Keep working. I am confident that David never gave up on the sheep placed under his care. God has placed you into this school as a student. He never gives up on you. Have faith in Him. Work out that faith.