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.

Faith that Works is a faith that remains true to its first love, trusts in the promises of God, remaining anchored to the Father, who is unchanging.

A Faith that Works is a faith that is prepared and continually preparing for the trials and temptations that lie ahead; as followers of Jesus, we should not be surprised but rather endure and worship well.