The LORD remains near to all who call out to him, to everyone who calls out to him sincerely. (Psalm 145:18)

Why is it that we seem to ignore God until something in our little world starts to fall apart?  D.L Moody believed that there are three kinds of faith in Jesus: struggling faith (like a man floundering and fearful in deep water; clinging faith (like a man clinging to the side of a boat); and resting faith (like a man safe inside the boat–strong and secure enough to reach out his hand to help others).

But how we get there when the trials and challenges of this life seem about to overwhelm us?  Only by staying in tune with God on a daily basis and by believing in God’s faithfulness enough to trust Him.  It’s not always easy to maintain that faith or to clearly hear what He is saying.  The world we live in is constantly clamoring and trying to attract us to fill our lives with what it has to offer.  And don’t let anyone kid you–what it offers is very attractive.

When Elijah was at his wit’s end, he cried out to God thinking that he was the last man left on earth to serve Him.  “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.  And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:11-12)  There, in the quietness, God told Elijah what to do and reminded him that he was not alone.  The wind, the earthquake, the fire–in the world these are the type of things that attract our attention.  But in God’s plan, it is in the moment of quiet trust that He makes known His plans for us.

These words were found on a prison cell in Europe:  I believe in the sun even when it is not shining.  I believe in love even when I don’t feel it.  And I believe in God even when He is silent.  Can we do any less?