A “bonus” entry to those receiving my daily devotional:

II Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us….

Romans 4:21… and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Challenges take us deeper into God, and there are layers of faith they bring us to. There is a movement from one layer to the next deeper one, however, that brings a special peace, arising from a greater expression of faith on our part and a more profound understanding of His character.

When faced with a trial, we generally move into the “God is able” phase of things. Sometimes His quick work means that we are not called much deeper at that point, but we hang onto and establish our faith in His ability to answer prayer, change the situation, or find a better way through. We become aware of His power and His wisdom, as we watch Him work the situation for good. We see Him arrange circumstances, change hearts, and go beyond simply answering our prayers.

But sometimes the trials go on and on, long past our desperate prayers. We then shift into a leaner, more focused faith in His ability, as we confess that in this situation, He is the only answer. He is the only One that can make this thing happen or stop happening. This is the deeper belief in “God is able,” and it brings a revelation of the majesty and breadth of what He can do.

But what happens when the trial continues after that? We’ve finished asking for wisdom, as we clearly see that this is an “only God” situation. We’ve also fully embraced “God is able” in this trial, as we believe in what He can do. We are then drawn into a still deeper place, a place of rest and peace, where after having done all, we stand in the field called “God is faithful.” We know that no matter how we have been shaken, or confused, or angry, that He is good, He knows what He’s doing, and He’s working for our good. We begin to find our rest in His character, not in His ability.

The devil attacks God’s character as we begin to move into that deeper level of faith, and many have been found shipwrecked at this spiritual front. But if we believe just once more—in His word, in His character, in His love for us, we discover anew that when all is said and done, He is indeed faithful.