Our faith in God and his promises must regularly be renewed. Especially in seasons and events of our lives that cause us legitimate fears and concerns. Psalm 46 is a song that has been sung by the people of God for centuries to renew and refocus their faith.

If you want to persevere in doing good in the midst of suffering, you must
have the right mindset. 

The testing of Israel in the wilderness continues as they camp at Rephidim and find no water. They grumble and complain to Moses, putting Yahweh to the test, showing their lack of faith. Jesus the true Israel, in wilderness testing of his own, submits himself to the will of the Father. 

The wilderness. The desert. A hostile, dangerous and uncomfortable place. It is a surprising place to find the people God has rescued from slavery with the promise and hope of a new life. But that’s where we are. Let’s consider how God sustains us in our wilderness experience.

James continues the theme of doing and working versus being hearers only and deceiving ourselves (1:22). A faith that is lacking in external evidence of works is useless and dead. James argues that you can’t separate the two because true faith is proven by its fruit – works.