Do not fear the future trial of faith

Do not fear the future trial of faith
Name me any saint living or dead - not an unbeliever but God fearing believer, that has never come into a major test of faith of some kind.

Show me such a man and I will show you one who is a 'bastard, illegitimate and not His child'

Hebrews 12:8
If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons

Think about them - Daniel, Abraham, David, Joseph, Jacob, name one living or dead who never went through a serious trial of faith.

Imagine faithful Daniel in the Lion's Den, a mature believer, devoted, fearing God. Not in the beginning of their faith but at its strength at their prime of their faith, maturity, at the point of fullness.

Imagine the faith of Daniel, who had been delivered from so many deaths by God at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, who had bold faith to prophetically rebuke King Beltshazzar, who prayed with such intensity of faith and loving devotion - three times a day. Daniel who had an actual working faith experience of a mighty, loving, majestic, wise and sovereign God - at the prime of spiritual maturity in the lion's den. Imagine that.

It must have been so jarring. Knowing that God is sovereign and good and in control of all things, having firsthand experience of his mercies and goodness in his life, Yet, finding his own life being threatened for no other cause than his devotion to God. Faith is in the now. It was as though God was asking him: Daniel do you believe I am still that God who rescued your friend from the fire, who met you and favored you and clothed you with my kindness and wisdom. Do you still believe that I am the same God, Kind and loving towards you even now?

I like the line in the Pilgrim's progress: Christian replies to Apollyon: 'yes He (Christ) may not deliver us in our trial of faith, but it is to test us, even if martyrdom is the end result that we may have a better resurrection when we arrive on eternity's shore.' He stood fast in faith, did not hedge his bets, but wagered all on Christ who never fails and overcame in faith.

Daniel 11:22-35 - about the end times-
but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. 33 And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder. 34 When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery, 35 and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time.

Think about Job's trials - let us not fear the future trial that is to come, to test our faith. But Let us look to the One who is able to bring us through.

God Fully intends and has sufficient grace to bring us through trials of faith victoriously, if we will but trust Him, even if death is our glorious end.

Revelations 12:11
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Romans 8:37 ESV
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.