November 12

Morning

so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. — 1 Pet 1:7 BSB

Faith that hasn’t been tested may be real faith, but it’s likely to be small and will probably remain weak without trials. Faith grows best when it faces opposition. Storms are its trainers, and lightning is its light. When the sea is calm, no matter how you set the sails, the ship doesn’t move toward its harbor; the keel rests in the still waters. But when the winds blow and the waves rise, even though the ship may rock, the deck may be awash with water, and the mast may groan under the strain of full sails, it is then that progress is made toward the desired destination!

No flowers bloom so beautifully blue as those that grow at the base of a glacier; no stars shine as brightly as those in the polar sky; no water tastes as sweet as that which springs from the desert sands; and no faith is as precious as the faith that thrives and triumphs in adversity.

Tested faith brings experience. You wouldn’t know your own weakness if you hadn’t been forced to pass through deep waters, and you wouldn’t know God’s strength if He hadn’t supported you through the floods.

Faith grows in firmness, confidence, and intensity the more it is exercised in tribulation. Faith is valuable, and the testing of it is valuable too. But don’t let this discourage those who are young in faith. You will face trials soon enough without seeking them—the full measure will come to you in due time. Meanwhile, if you don’t yet have the experience that comes from long trials, thank God for the grace you’ve received so far. Praise Him for the holy confidence you’ve attained, live by that faith, and you will experience even more of God’s blessing!

Evening

In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God. — Luke 6:12 BSB

If anyone could have lived without prayer, it would have been our spotless, perfect Lord. Yet no one prayed as much as He did! His love for His Father was so great that He longed to be in constant communion with Him. His love for His people was so deep that He was always interceding for them.

The fact that Jesus was so committed to prayer is a powerful lesson for us. He gave us an example to follow.

The timing of His prayers was perfect—He prayed in the quiet hours when the crowds wouldn’t disturb Him, when all activity had ceased, and when sleep had silenced the world’s cares. While others found rest in sleep, He found refreshment in prayer.

The place He chose was ideal. He prayed alone, where no one would intrude or observe, free from the temptation to show off or be interrupted. The dark, silent hills were a perfect prayer room for the Son of God. Heaven and earth in their midnight stillness heard His groans and sighs—the cries of the mysterious One who connected both worlds.

His persistence in prayer is remarkable. The long hours of the night didn’t seem too long to Him. The cold wind didn’t chill His devotion, the deep darkness didn’t dim His faith, and His loneliness didn’t stop His urgent prayers. We can barely watch with Him for an hour, but He stayed up whole nights in prayer for us!

The timing of this particular prayer was significant—it was after His enemies had become enraged that He sought refuge in prayer. It was also before He sent out His twelve apostles; prayer was the gateway to His mission, the prelude to His work. Shouldn’t we learn from Jesus to turn to special prayer when we face particular trials or prepare for new efforts for God’s glory? Lord Jesus, teach us to pray!