There is a saying in music, “Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they never get it wrong.”
God wants us to be professional believers. What does he want us always to get right and never to get wrong?
He wants us to trust him completely in every circumstance, even amid afflictions that test our faith.
How do we become professional believers? Through practice.
The Israelite Example
As they fled Egypt after the ten plagues, the Israelites grew angry with God when they saw Pharaoh’s army bearing down on them at the Red Sea.
Even though he had miraculously rescued them from slavery, they believed he was about to let them be recaptured, despite his earlier promise of freedom.
They needed more practice before they were ready to trust him fully.
When God parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could scurry across the dry seabed, they praised Him for rescuing them a second time.
But three days after this miraculous event, the Israelites became angry with God again because they were thirsty.
They still needed more practice before they were ready to trust him in every situation.
Practice Strengthens Faith
We are like the Israelites.
No matter how recent or significant our past triumphs may be, we are always one step away from becoming angry with God and doubting him because of some new stress or inconvenience.
This selfish tendency is a natural byproduct of our sinful nature.
God wants us to reach the point where we consistently trust him even amid discomfort and uncertainty.
Learning this lesson requires practice. Practice opportunities arise when we face affliction.
God does not engineer distress to teach us to trust him, but he uses the afflictions we inevitably encounter in this fallen world to that end.
