I've always been taught that faith is like a muscle. A muscle has to be repeatedly stretched to its limit of endurance in order to build more strength. Without increased stress in training, the muscle will simply not grow.

In the same way, faith must be repeatedly tested to the limit of its endurance in order to expand and develop. Very often, God allows His children to go through trying experiences in order to develop this muscle.

George Muller put it this way: "God delights to increase the faith [or condition the faith-muscle] of His children. We ought, instead of wanting no trials before victory, no exercise for patience, to be willing to take them from God's hand as a means. I say - and say it deliberately - trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith."

This principle is beautifully illustrated in the book of Exodus. Following Israel's deliverance from Egypt, God first led them to Marah - a place where they would have to trust God to heal the water to make it drinkable - before leading them to Elim, a gorgeous oasis with plenty of good water (Exodus 15:22-27).

The important thing to observe is that God could have bypassed Marah altogether and brought them directly to Elim if He had wanted to. But - as is characteristic of God - He purposefully led them through the route which would yield maximum conditioning of their faith-muscles.

God also allows His children to confront obstacles and difficulties in order to prove His sufficiency when they dare to flex their faith-muscles. F. B. Meyer suggests that "very often God allows our helplessness and failure to become extraordinarily acute in order that His grace may have a larger opportunity."

This is illustrated for us in the historical account in 2 Chronicles 20 where the Moabites and Ammonites came to make war on Jehoshaphat. In his prayer to God, Jehoshaphat said: "we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you" (2 Chronicles 20:12).

Jehoshaphat was helpless in the face of what seemed to the physical eye to be sure defeat. Yet his eye of faith was not on the problem but on God. The result? God promised: "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.. . . You will not have to fight this battle.

Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. . . Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you" (2 Chronicles 20:15-17).

The rest is history. The Moabites and Ammonites were completely destroyed the following day. God purposefully allowed this situation to develop so that He could demonstrate His sufficiency to Jehoshaphat. And as a result of this event, Jehoshaphat's faith-muscle became even stronger.

I can't help but think of how God used this same basic strategy with Jim and Elisabeth Elliot. Elisabeth had been feeling quite ill for a time and went to see a doctor. Following her doctor visit, she recalls: "We were informed that, according to X-rays, I had an active case of tuberculosis.

Knowing as well as Jim did that he was called to the Indians of the jungle, I felt that this news spelled the cancellation of our marriage plans, for, even if I should recover, life in the jungle would not be recommended."

But Jim's attitude was unchanged. "If I had any plans," he wrote in his journal, "they are not changed. I will marry her in God's time, and it will be the very best for us, even if it means waiting years. God has not led us this far to frustrate us or turn us back, and He knows all about how to handle T.B."

"According to your faith be it unto you," Elisabeth later exulted. "Jim's [faith] was rewarded - a week's further tests showed nothing whatever wrong with my lung." God seemingly allowed this event to transpire in order to demonstrate His sufficiency to Jim and Elisabeth Elliot. Jim flexed his faith-muscle; God moved into action.

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