We pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith. – 1 Thessalonians 3:10
Paul has been thanking God for the faith of the Thessalonians, but now he says that there is something lacking in it!
Even the strongest faith is a work begun but not yet complete. Your faith needs to grow. It needs to be fed, nourished, and exercised. It is fed and nourished in the Word, in worship, in fellowship, and in prayer. It is exercised in ministry and through trials and temptations. It needs to be applied to the choices we make individually and together.
Paul does not give a formula for growing the church’s faith. Instead, he moves into prayer: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another… so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness” (3:12-13). Why does Paul turn to prayer? Because this kind of faith is a work of God.
Many people’s faith is like a house built on sand. When trouble comes, the whole thing collapses. But authentic faith is a work of the Holy Spirit who gives you what you do not have and creates in you what you cannot produce. That means you can ask God to give you this kind of faith.
You can come to Him and say, “I need you, Lord. My faith is insufficient for this life, for these trials, for this enemy. So, give me your Spirit. Fill me with your power. Cause me to stand firm.” Seek Him. Ask of Him. Believe in Him. And receive from Him.
What do you know of the kind of faith that stands firm even when it is pounded by trials and temptation?
