Will there be faith when we need it?

When everything is predictable and familiar, faith can be just a concept; something we don't need now. That doesn't mean we don't value it, but we are content to hold it loosely until 'the future'...say, on our death bed or times of turmoil when life's storms happen.

That's not how Jesus talked about faith though. In the parable of the wise and foolish builder, he taught us to build ourselves on solid foundation before the storms of life hit us (Matthew 7:24-49). If we live through life without trusting God for much, how will we know that He'll come through for us when we have dire need?

I like the idea that faith will magically appear when we need it. But that's not how it happens with the Bible heroes we read about--Abraham, Moses, and Joshua for example. Each of these were in relatively calm situations when God called them to action--what I call faith-building opportunities. Later, when life's storms inevitably hit them they triumphed. We would be wise to follow this pattern, building our foundations when things are calm.