“You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 1:5-7

I have a good friend that I have known since college. He is one of the most loving, honest, hardworking men I’ve ever met. He pastors a thriving church in a small town about an hour east of where I live. This last Monday I went to a funeral for his 16-year-old son who died in a car accident. A situation like that will almost always make people question God. I heard things like, “why?,” “I don’t understand!,” and “How could God do something so tragic to such a godly man?!” And I must admit, these questions cross my mind as well. But these questions all come from a misunderstanding of faith.

We often think faith is a sure belief that God will do whatever we ask of him. If this were true, however, he would not be our God, he would be our servant. Real faith is not simply hoping God will do what you want, it is knowing that God is always working for your good in every circumstance, even if that circumstance involves incredible pain. Do you want to know what faith looks like? It is my friend and his wife standing in front of their son’s casket, with hands lifted toward heaven, singing the words “all my life You have been faithful. All my life You have been so, so good!” That is faith!

Heavenly Father and Almighty God, You are so, so good! I am confident that the One who gave His only Son for me will not withhold any good thing from me. Forgive us for the moments where we question Your goodness and Your plan. Fill us with the kind of faith that can say, “God is always working for my good!”

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon