A Test of Faith Gripped by fear, Jacob’s mind was racing. “This can’t be happening”, he thought to himself. “Have I not been the best husband I can be? Have I not given everything, sacrificed everything?”
Beads of sweat were beginning to form on his forehead as he jogged his usual trail circling the lake near his home. “I have given it all to you God, all of it.” He said into the morning air. “Why is it all falling apart? Why now? I don’t understand?”
Jacob came here often for solace and to collect his thoughts. He usually went to secluded spots along the trail where he could spend time in prayer and refocus himself on God’s will and purpose. Today, he needed an answer from God more than anything.
Jacob jogged to his favorite spot along the trail which opened to a clearing that overlooked the lake below. He loved the view from this ridge and he found it stirred his spirit greatly. With the sun just starting to peak above the tree line to his right, Jacob starred at the water. It was so calm and beautiful. Like a mirror or giant sheet of glass collecting images from all around reflecting itself for all to see and marvel. A light fog still kissed the surface.
The pines lining the shore stood tall and magnificent. The morning dew glistened in the sunlight. The bright blue sky reflecting off the water, revealed the few clouds drifting overhead. Jacob took his favorite seat on the rock that jutted four or five feet out over the face of the ledge. Everything was perfect.
“Father”, Jacob started to pray, “I sit here in awe of who you are. I am mesmerized and captivated by the work of your hands. Words can’t begin to express how I feel right now, in this very moment. But my heart is broken. I have been faithful to you my God; I have dedicated my very life to you. How can this be? How can you allow this to happen, how? I am hurt, I am so confused. I can not begin to fathom your ways dear Lord, I can not begin to understand your will. I have always trusted you but I feel so lost. Please Lord, reveal yourself to me. Give me peace, hope and understanding. I love her so much; please God, have mercy on me. Please, show me your will, your purpose my king…”
With tears forming in his eyes, Jacob continued to stare at the glassy water below as he prayed. He sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit, but felt little comfort because of his circumstance. A peace began to settle on Jacob as the tranquility of his surroundings enveloped him. The Holy Spirit was with him, he knew it, but Jacob was broken.
After a few minutes of praying like this, Jacob sensed in his spirit, a still, small voice that he knew was not his own.
“Is my love not evident?” the voice stated. “Behold what beauty I lay before your eyes; behold what splendor; I did this for you today. This is a special gift just for you. ”
Jacob began to cry, “Oh Father, I do trust you I do. I just don’t understand why…”
“You do not need to understand.” the voice stated.
“But what do I do? How do I approach her? What do I say?” Jacob asked.
The voice responded, “If you trust me, why do you fear? Am I not capable of all things? Am I not sovereign? You say you trust me but your heart fears what you do not know. Be still, I am with you. You have no reason to fear.”
“I am so sorry”, Jacob sobbed, “I am so very sorry.”
The voice continued, “Jacob, I love you my child. I have so many great things in store for you. All will be revealed to you in due time, but do not get ahead of yourself. My plan, my purpose, my timing is perfect. I will heal, restore and make all things new. But it must be according to my Will. Lives will be transformed and my name will be glorified. Remember in Matthew 6:34 ‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’ Give me your hurt, give me your desires, give me your plans and I will set every path straight. I will make the impossible, possible.”
“Thank you Jesus”, Jacob whispered over and over as he sat there weeping in the presence of God. “How could I have doubted you Lord? I love you so much, I trust in you and give you praise. You are holy God, you are holy!”
“Get up”, the voice requested, “Get up and go to your wife. Comfort her as I comfort you, hold her, love her and be there for her. You are my children; I will be with you both and I will never leave. Nothing can separate you from my love.”
As the thought entered his head, Jacob acted. He began to run as fast as he could until he reached his vehicle. Completely out of breath, he climbed inside, started the engine and headed home.
Allison sat alone on the corner of her bed. Clothes and other personal affects covered the bedroom floor. She was going through all her stuff determining what she wanted to pack in her medium sized travel bag. Her marriage has been good but she can’t bare the thought of what might have happened. She can’t face her husband the same way, she is ashamed.
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Last night, Allison went out with a couple of friends to a concert. She did a lot of drinking and the rest of the evening was a blur. When she awoke this morning, she was in someone else’s home, in someone else’s bed. She had no idea she was even capable of something like this, but here she was. Confused, upset and ashamed with herself, she did the only thing she could think of at the time, she called home and talked to her husband.
“Jacob?” She said as the phone picked up on the other end.
“Allison?” Jacob responded, “Where have you been? I have been so worried about you. I haven’t been able to get a hold of you or your friends all night. Is everything ok? Are you safe?”
“I don’t know” Allison said, “I am not sure where I am and I can’t really remember anything about the evening. I awoke a few minutes ago and I am in a house I do not recognize.”
“What do you mean?” Jacob interrupted, his voice concerned yet calm. Jacob has always trusted his wife, there was no reason, in his mind, to doubt or question her faithfulness to him or their marriage.
“I’m scared Jacob, I don’t remember.” Allison stated as she began cry. “I would never do anything to jeopardize our marriage or relationship. But I do not know how I ended up here. The only thing I can remember before everything got hazy was Jackie and I having a few drinks at the concert. We were talking with a couple of guys but I wasn’t interested in going there, I am married and take that seriously.”
“So you are at some guy’s house right now that you don’t even know or remember?” Jacob’s voice at this time reflected anger, betrayal and jealousy. “How could you do that?”
Allison replied, “I don’t know what’s going on Jacob, I do not know. I am so confused, I am so sorry. I just don’t know. I am leaving now and heading home, I am so sorry.”
Jacob was emotional and upset by this point, he said, “Well don’t expect me to be here when you return, I need some time. I just can’t believe this, I need some time. I can’t believe you would do something like this.”
Allison tried to reply but realized that Jacob had hung up on her. Still crying and upset, she finished getting dressed and headed home.
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With her bag almost packed, Allison could stand it no longer. She slid off the bed to her knees and began to sob uncontrollably. She raised her hands in the air and lifted her eyes toward the ceiling.
It has been a few years since Allison has really talked with God. She does a great job going through the motions for her husband’s sake, but she knows her relationship with God has been troubled if existent at all.
Tears streamed down Allison’s cheeks as she started to pray. “Oh heavenly Father, I do not know what happened last night. I do not know what I may have done, but please Lord please, I love my husband. I know I have not been the best wife these past few years; I know I have neglected my relationship with you. Please God, please forgive me. I am so sorry. Forgive me for turning my back on you, forgive me for ignoring you. I do believe in your son Jesus Christ. I do believe you sent him to die for my sins. I believe in the cross and the significance of what Jesus did for me and the sacrifice that was made for me; because you love me, because you desire a relationship with me. Please Lord, please forgive me; draw me close to you, help me to hear your voice again father and to know your ways. Please bring reconciliation and healing to my relationship. Please, no matter what happened, heal my marriage. Help me be the wife my husband deserves. I am so sorry my God, I am so sorry.”
Allison heard some rustling near the bedroom door and looked up through teary eyes and running makeup. Jacob stood in the doorway, his shirt still sweaty from his run.
“How long have you been standing there?” Allison asked while trying to wipe the tears from her eyes and straighten herself up. She was slightly embarrassed that he had walked in on her at this vulnerable moment.
“Long enough”, Jacob responded, “Long enough”.
Jacob walked over to Allison, got down on his knees and embraced her. They both began crying and apologizing to each other. Their love was rekindled, their hope was restored. No matter what the case, Jacob knew in his heart he would forgive his wife. He loved her with all his heart and knew that God’s plan was going to be fulfilled. He would be the husband God called him to be.
Within moments, the phone rang, Jacob answered. “Hello?”
“Jake! Hey, this is Jackie! Is Allison there by any chance?”
“Yeah, hold on a sec.”
Jacob handed the phone to Allison. “Hello?” Allison asked.
“Hey girl, it’s Jackie, where did you go?”
“What do you mean? Where did I go?”
Jackie replied with an answer that confused Allison even more than she was already. “I went to pick up some breakfast for us this morning and when I came back, you were gone.”
“You went to pick breakfast up for us? I am confused, where were we and why were we there?” Allison asked.
“Oh boy, you were wasted last night weren’t you?” Jackie laughed. “There were a couple of guys hitting on us at the concert last night and neither of us wanted anything to do with them. We had a few more drinks though anyways and discussed our plans for the rest of the evening. I always could handle my liquor better than you could!” Jackie continued, “Anyways, we decided to go to friend of mines place near the lake so we could spend the day at the lake today. They are gone for the week and said I could use it anytime. Sounded like a good plan last night.”
“So we didn’t go home with the guys last night?” Allison asked. Her eyes brightened and Jacob could see her expression change to that of hope and disbelief.
“No Silly!!! We were going to have a girl’s day out! You honestly don’t remember that?” Jackie asked.
“No! I had no clue!” Allison replied.
“Well, when I got up this morning, you were still sleeping so I thought I would surprise you with fresh coffee and breakfast. I left to pick us up some breakfast bagels and Starbucks. When I returned, you were gone. So, I am finally getting around to trying your house since I tried your cell phone with no luck.”
“So, you are telling me that it was just us two at that house, no one else.”
“Are you ok?” Jackie asked as she started to laugh again. “Why do you keep asking me that? Yes, it was just us! Thanks for nothing though! See if I make plans with you again after we have been drinking!”
“Oh Jackie, thank you so much!” Allison bellowed in relief. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“OK, what did I miss?” Jackie asked.
“I thought I ended up at one of those guys’s house last night. I had no idea.”
“Oh you poor thing”, Jackie replied, “how horrible! No wonder you are so upset!”
“You have no idea how upset I was. I was so confused and thought I had done something terrible that I could never forgive myself for. Thank you so much for the good news!”
“Your welcome” Jackie replied. “Does this mean that we are not hanging out at the lake all day though?”
“Unfortunately, I am going to have to take a rain check on this one Jackie. Thank you so much though, you are a good friend.”
“Your welcome babe, what are friends for? Call me later ok?”
“I sure will Jackie, thanks again.”
“No problem!” Jackie said and hung up the phone.
“Did you hear that Jacob? Did you?” Allison asked excitedly.
“I did baby I did. I love you so much!” Jacob said as he embraced her again.
“I love you too Jacob. This will never happen again. I am done going out to concerts and drinking. I love you too much and I have just rededicated my life to God. Things are going to be different around here from now on. I am sorry for putting you through all this and I am sorry for the past few years. I am going to live my life for God from now on.”
“I’m glad you said that”, Jacob said lovingly, “God revealed to me some wonderful things while I was out and one of those things was that I needed to be there for you. Regardless, I needed to be there for you. I didn’t question it. Even though I thought the worst at that point, I didn’t doubt God and his purpose or plan in all of this. I was ready to act and follow him. Seeing how things are turning out, I had no reason to doubt to begin with.”
“God is awesome isn’t he?” Allison stated as a question for confirmation from Jacob.
“He sure is.” Jacob responded.
Jacob and Allison spent the remainder of the day in each other’s arms. They knew they had just been given a second chance. That God had spared them the pain that could have been if things had turned out differently. They rededicated their lives to each other and to God. They vowed to pray together and love each other as Christ loved the church. A biblical love and passion that only comes through knowing Christ and his love for us. Through their faith, God did as he promised, he was faithful.
Soon after, Jacob and Allison were led into mission ministries where God greatly blessed them. Many lives were touched, hearts changed and souls saved through their acts of obedience and faith in God.
(This story is not to be reproduced without written request/permission and approval)
~ EW - A Voice of Truth.
This story was written as a test of faith. As you face something that is taking place in your life, where do you turn? How do you act? This couple could have turned on each other; they could have caused emotional damage that is difficult to repair. But they turned to God. In doing so, God blessed their relationship. In their faithfulness, they were blessed and put in the position to bless others. Draw close to God today. Seek His will, His plan and His purpose for your life. He sees the big picture and has you in mind the entire time. Walk in Him and He will keep you from falling.
It is the dawn of a new day. The peaks aglow as fiery embers, the suns good morning kiss. The waves crash upon the shore; the sand welcomes a watery embrace. Darkness flees and shadows fail as the light penetrates. The clouds in the skies above give way. The snow capped mountain stretches itself toward heaven in absolute splendor. In the stillness, in the calm; I feel His presence upon me. The wind whispers His wonders the land echoes His majesty. My eyes behold such beauty before me; my soul cries out in ecstasy. You my God, my King; You are in all things. For Your pleasure was I created, for Your purpose was I designed. How amazing, how wonderful, how beautiful; I’m consumed by passion. My heart desires intimacy; my life is not my own. Behold, I stand before the maker of the heavens and the earth; He hears my cry. Oh God that I may love as you have loved. To see as You have seen. May I walk as you have walked. May I be forever captivated by the works of Your hand. May God forever be glorified; my spirit burns for You my God. My spirit burns for You. My lifesong sings to You. I stand in awe of You; in awe of You. My hands lifted toward the heavens; your word like honey on my lips. I praise the one, true, living God, Jehovah. 
