Most individuals today live in a secular environment, which often presents a formidable challenge in maintaining one’s faith, particularly when one is pressured to set aside personal beliefs in favour of those held by individuals who do not know the true God. While it may seem that these challenges have recently emerged due to the diverse beliefs and faiths propagated by various religions, Scripture indicates that this issue is not novel; it has been a concern for the people of God throughout history.
A significant example is found in the life of King Hezekiah, whom God led to confront such trials, teaching us valuable lessons through Hezekiah’s life and faithful declarations on how to overcome similar adversities with relative ease. The accounts provide guidance on effectively addressing the counsel or threats posed by non-believers in a distinctive manner.
How Do We Respond To Others’ Struggles?
We prioritise tradition and interpersonal relationships over our reverence for God, and this tendency has ensnared many, leading them to disregard the free gift of forgiveness for sins while failing to follow the example of those who truly know God. The Apostle Paul admonished the early believers in Rome not to conform to the patterns of this world but rather to undergo a transformation of the mind through the righteousness of Jesus (Romans 12:2). Yet, many believers do not heed Paul’s counsel; instead, they attempt to conform to the beliefs and practices of others, often expressing that they are in the same predicament as individuals who do not recognize the true God.
For instance, when someone shares their struggles, we may respond by asserting that we face similar challenges or, at times, by claiming that our problems are even more significant than theirs. In doing so, we compromise our faith, engaging in conversations with fellow believers that lead us to adopt their perspectives. Should we not assert, that despite facing more serious challenges, we possess a Living God who guides us in overcoming such difficulties? Regrettably, we often fail to communicate this, indicating that we, too, lack such experiences and instead share in the experiences of those who do not know the true God.
Does God Really Exist?
Sennacherib achieved victory over all his neighbouring nations, which led to arrogance, as he believed he could conquer any territory he desired, specifically targeting the Southern Kingdom, oblivious to God’s favour upon that land (Isaiah 36:19-20). He dispatched his envoys to Jerusalem to dishearten the populace and urged them not to trust their king, who placed his faith in the Living God, while attempting to persuade the people to forsake this trust. Sennacherib asserted that no gods on earth could thwart his campaign of destruction, as they had failed to protect their adherents.
This is what the king says: Do not let Hezekiah deceive you. He cannot deliver you! Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the LORD when he says, ‘The LORD will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. – Isaiah 36:14-15 (NIV)
In today’s context, it seems that distracting the children of God to separate them from Heavenly Father has been achieved through every conceivable means, both directly and indirectly. Individuals confront these threats head-on, while those who avoid mingling with the world still encounter them from a distance.
The notorious question posed by the ungodly is, “If you’re so spiritually disciplined, why is this happening to you?” If your God is genuine, why isn’t He protecting you? When troubles bombard us one after another, it’s easy to succumb to the influence of the ungodly, prompting us to question, “Do you really exist, God?” The queries from the ungodly compel us to stack our God alongside other so-called gods, which are mere figments crafted by human beings using the wisdom granted by the one true Living God.
God or gods?
To maintain our faith in God, we must first acknowledge that this faith is bestowed upon us by God. Through this faith, we are assured of the grace of God that our sins are forgiven by Him. By embracing these two principles, we dispel doubts regarding God’s existence and affirm His mighty actions. Recognising the singularity of God, we ought to attribute all occurrences, whether favourable or unfavourable, to Him. God blesses all inhabitants of this earth with essential elements such as sunlight, rain, and oxygen.
The Creator cares for His creation, and despite their shortcomings, God sustains them, allowing for significant transformations in their lives. In the face of the threats posed by Sennacherib, King Hezekiah acknowledged God’s graceful presence that would protect him and his people from Sennacherib’s schemes.
And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: “LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. – Isaiah 37:15-16 (NIV)
Though we recognise that God is the ultimate cause of all creation, as nothing exists without Him, we often attribute the disturbances in our lives to evil forces such as sorcery and divination. Similarly, King Hezekiah fell into the trap of attributing the defeat of neighbouring nations to their lifeless, man-made gods.
It is true, LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. – Isaiah 37:18-19 (NIV)
It is illogical to assign blame to gods fashioned by human hands for failing to safeguard their devotees, as they lack the intrinsic vitality necessary to do so. When we are sufficiently diligent in refraining from attributing any blessings bestowed upon us by God to these lifeless substances, we inadvertently imply their existence, yet contend that they have failed to protect their creators. If these gods do not exist in reality, how is it that we have become misguided enough to place responsibility upon something that is entirely non-existent?
Is it not the singular true and living God who is the driving force behind the events that transpired with those nations? While we ascribe the downfall of these nations to the figurings they themselves fashioned, it is the only living God who elucidates the reality of what has genuinely occurred to them.
Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it. In days of old I planned it;
now I have brought it to pass, that you have turned fortified cities into piles of stone. – Isaiah 37:26 (NIV)
Glorifying God
I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. – Isaiah 42:8 (NIV)
God specifically brings out His characteristics in the above Word, and He had also warned His people that they shall have no other gods before Me. They shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below (Deuteronomy 5:7-8). Yet, we frequently and unwittingly find ourselves as victims of the prevailing concepts of the world, attributing significance to elements other than God.
Our recollection of God tends to arise primarily when we are besieged from multiple sides, particularly when adversaries impose upon us. In such moments, we beseech God to deliver us from their grasp and to affirm His justice. Consequently, we implore God to exalt His name in the presence of our foes.
Now, LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, LORD, are the only God. – Isaiah 37:20 (NIV)
When enemies rise against us, and we pray for their destruction, we often forget that God is their God as well, for there is only one God. Moreover, in the New Testament, God’s purpose is not to destroy anyone but to transform them into His likeness. This is why Jesus shed His blood for all mankind (1 John 2:2).
Jesus imparted to Martha the notion that belief is the pathway to witnessing the glory of God. To truly believe in God, one must first cultivate love for Him. In the presence of love, there arises no inclination to compel God to glorify His name by affirming our righteousness and denouncing our adversaries.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
God expects us to be instrumental in demonstrating His love to others through our words and actions, which should reflect the outcome of His love in our lives. While Jesus did not discuss deeds in the context of karma, He urged us to love our Father increasingly each day; such devotion will attract people toward God and glorify His name. When God entrusts us with this responsibility, we often overlook it and instead request Him to exalt His name before our adversaries who oppose us.
Persevering in Our Faith
Maintaining our faith during challenging times may appear to be a Herculean task if our love for Him is conditional, based solely on our desire for personal gain. Faith serves as a means to understand the heart of God, a resource bestowed upon us by God Himself, and it can only be preserved through genuine love for Him. Consequently, persevering in our faith involves not merely adhering to the disciplines imposed by religious doctrines, but genuinely loving God. Jesus reiterated this principle from His Father’s commandments to instruct us on how to uphold our faith without undue struggle.
Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. – Matthew 22:37 (NIV)
Maintaining one’s faith amidst challenging circumstances necessitates an authentic devotion to God and an unwavering conviction in the forgiveness of our sins. For this reason, the Apostle Paul sought to instil this truth within our consciousness.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13
The Jordan Valley 
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