Charles Stanley - Faith That Wavers

Faith is an essential aspect of the Christian life because it is the avenue through which we are saved by God’s grace and the means by which we are to live thereafter.

When we believe and obey what the Lord says in His Word, our faith grows stronger; but when we let our feelings and circumstances override our confidence in Him and His promises, our faith begins to waver.

Although the Lord had repeatedly demonstrated His faithfulness to the Israelites by miraculously delivering them from Egyptian slavery, parting the Red Sea for their escape, and leading them through the wilderness, when they arrived at the border of the Promised Land, their faith faltered.

After Moses sent spies into Canaan, they reported that the land was good. However, 10 of them discouraged the Israelites by saying they were not strong enough to take the land because giants lived there. Even though two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, encouraged the people to trust the Lord who promised to give them the land, the congregation wouldn’t listen. Instead, they cried all night and wanted to go back to Egypt.

Faith is a gift from God that is built upon the sure foundation of a personal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. However, for it to grow strong and become steadfast, we must cultivate and exercise it by focusing on the Lord and His provisions and promises. Otherwise, we will be tossed about by our feelings and circumstances or the opinions of others.