(5) When Faith is Futile

(Note: This post is part of a series on defeating discouragement with faith and a study of Isaiah 41)

You’ve heard it, perhaps even said it . . . You just gotta have more faith . . . Faith is the answer . . . Faith is the victory. And while these may express a biblical mind-set, often, they do not. Faith in and of itself is not the answer or the victory if it is misguided or misdirected faith. The answer to my discouragement is not ambiguous faith that “everything will work out in the end.” Discouragement is not defeated by misdirected faith in ourselves, our solutions, or in others. Faith is only as good as the object of faith.

We return to Isaiah 41 and God’s warning about futile faith.

The lands beyond the sea watch in fear. Remote lands tremble and mobilize for war. 6The idol makers encourage one another, saying to each other, "Be strong!" 7The carver encourages the goldsmith, and the molder helps at the anvil. "Good," they say. "It's coming along fine." Carefully they join the parts together, then fasten the thing in place so it won't fall over. (Isaiah 41:5-7)

Many times, when people face potentially discouraging circumstances in life, several things happen. First, the disturbing situation is viewed as something that must be changed immediately. Then, they turn to the simplest, most promising path to get out of the circumstances. This often means desperate brain-storming and devising of a plan of action. Sadly, this seems like the only logical and sensible thing to do for most people

But what this really amounts to is a failure to recognize the sovereign hand and rule of God in our lives and a failure to trust Him and turn to Him for perspective and wisdom. We refuse to submit to God's sovereignty and rule, and seek to find our own solutions that fit with our sensibilities.

This is what God is confronting in these verses. The ungodly manufacture idols and look to them for answers and help. Instead of turning to God in humility, and submission to His sovereignty, unbelievers seek to encourage themselves in their solutions and abilities to resist God and His rule over them. Unfortunately, many of us as believers do the same thing.

But there is no hope, stability or true encouragement in man and man’s solutions. Encouragement is only found when we submit to the sovereignty of God, trust His wisdom and plan and depend on His strength.

I don’t know too many people carving wood or molding metal to make idols. But, I have seen too many Christians frantically rack their brains and desperately run about trying to lesson the frustration, pain, or challenges that threaten to plunge them into discouragement. We will try to encourage ourselves toward confidence in our abilities and solutions. Instead of turning to God, we turn to Oprah, Dr. Phil, the government, or a host of other human solutions. We seek to build ourselves up in positive thinking. And our faith is futility.

Victory over discouragement is not found in misdirected and misguided faith. Some faith is absolutely futile. Victory over discouragement is found in faith in the God of true wisdom, power, grace, mercy, and sovereignty. Faith in God is the victory. So what are you trusting in?