If we act only because our path is clear of difficulty, this
is not Faith. Faith acts upon God's Word whatever the difficulty;
and to walk by faith brings highest glory to God; but it is a
crucifying the flesh.
To be strong in Faith two things are needful,—a very low esteem
of ourselves, and a very high esteem of Christ.
The chief excellency of Faith is that it brings us into fellowship
with God. Abel—the first spoken of in Heb. 11.—is commended,
not because of any great deed in man's account, but because he
worshipped God acceptably. Nevertheless, if we trust God, there
is no limit to the power of Faith, whatever the thing to be done.
God shelters the weak in faith from many a storm, whereby the
strong in faith must be proved. (Gen. 22.)
When a man builds house or ship, he takes heed that no beam be
strained; so God never overtaxes our Faith, but brings in comfort,
knowing our frame, not suffering us to have sorrow upon sorrow,
according to Phil. 2:27.
By neglect of God, and forgetfulness of His word and promise,
our minds may become blinded to plainest things. Isaac, through
self-will and allowing his natural partiality to blind him, would
have set aside as nothing the purposes of God concerning Jacob.
When we are especially strong in Faith, we have especial need
to watch against unbelief (compare 1 Sam. 26:5 and on, with 27:1)
for as the flesh takes great occasion by sin, so by grace; and
no one who studies much that profitable book, his own heart,
but must know it.
Soon after Abraham had greatly trusted God, he through unbelief
denied his wife. Moses, the meekest of men, spake unadvisedly
with his lips. David, the humble, forgiving man, was moved to
proud wrath by the words of Nabal.
Faith, which always acts according to the mind of Christ, stoops
to no unworthy device for deliverance from trial, leaving consequences
wholly with God.
A little increase of Faith works great changes of judgment in
us, and brings forth the otherwise hidden riches of the grace
and wisdom of God: it stirs His power to do wonders for us, dividing
the sea when the waves thereof roar.
Heb. 11:24.—Moses' first great step of Faith was the refusing
to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. Yet Moses mistook
the time for delivering Israel by forty years. He was too hasty;
right in point of purpose, not in point of time. He was not content
with the bare doing the will of God; he would straightway accomplish
some great thing. After leaving Pharaoh's house he should have
asked of God further guidance. We need guidance step by step.
"I (saith the Lord) taught Ephraim to go, taking them by their
arms (Hos. 11:3).
Faith looks straight to the command in order to obey it, and
takes the promise for her support. She pushes on her way, regardless
of dangers. Moses must "go forward," though the next step lead
the people into the sea. Whatever appearances may say to us,
it is by advancing in the narrow way of obedience that we prove
the truth of the promises; and the faithfulness, the wisdom,
and the power of our promise-giving God.
We must not be deceived by appearances, but be sustained by promises.
When Jacob looked upon Joseph's coat, which had been brought
to him, he should have said, "I see the coat that is covered
with blood; I _hear_ the report of the death of Joseph; but,
Lord, I _believe_ Thy word—Thy promises concerning the greatness
and the glory of my son: what Thou hast spoken Thou wilt perform."
It is a great proof of the strength and steadiness of Faith when,
diligent in pleasing God, we rise above our obedience to God
Himself.
Grace makes light of sacrifices, because of looking straight
to Jesus.
Unbelief begets all sorts of evils; Faith prevents and cures
them.
Would that the saints of God tried themselves by this test: "How
much do I believe?" instead of "How much do I know?"
We please God by trusting Him; trusting His grace, His love,
His wisdom; trusting without limit: but it is only by little
and little that we come to account our own wisdom folly, and
God's wisdom true wisdom—_wisdom infinite_; then we are able
to yield up ourselves unreservedly unto Him.
Faith labours, and holds on, despite of all appearances, and
in the midst of all difficulties.
Rather let us look by Faith to Christ at God's right hand, than
at the mountain of difficulties before our eyes.
One of the best answers to prayer is to be able to continue in
prayer. (See Matt. 15:21-28.)
Faith perpetually cries to God for its own increase.
All things that are within the compass of God's promises are
within the compass of Faith.
Let Faith lay heart-sins upon Christ, and there will be no plague-spots
upon the skin.
Faith waits upon God; but she waits also for God. Jacob (in Gen.
32:9-12) waited upon God regarding Esau his brother; but he did
not wait for God. Had he done so, he would not have bowed down
(33:3) seven times to his brother: Esau must have bowed down
to him (27:29).
God delights in putting faith to do that which the flesh declares
impossible. Oh, how precious a jewel is that resolute Faith which
walks with God under all circumstances, wrestling against the
powers of darkness, making no bow to the Haman of evil customs,
or evil principles!
We cannot be losers by trusting God, for He is honoured by Faith,
and most honoured when Faith discerns His love and truth behind
a thick cloud of His ways and providence. Happy those who are
thus tried! Thus saith the Lord, "Count it, all joy when ye fall
into divers temptations" (James 2:3). Let us only be clear of
unbelief and a guilty conscience, and we shall hide ourselves
in the rock and pavilion of the Lord, sheltered beneath the wings
of everlasting love till all calamities be overpast.
Faith can bear the test of death and burial, and can sing praises
to God under any circumstances.
A steadfast purpose to trust God, when He seems to unbelief to
be breaking promise, betokens a growth in faith. "Though He slay
me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15).
God often encourages the weak in faith by giving speedy answers
to prayer; but the strong in faith will be tested by God's delays.
The prayer of self-will may get its answer, as with the Israelites:
"He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul"
(Ps. 106:15).
Faith is the good cable that, stretched and strained, does not
break in the storm.
Trial humbles the soul and enables it to bear the ripened blessing,
and to carry a full cup with a steady hand. Faith is not discouraged,
but holds on in patience, expecting the promised blessing in
the fitting time.
What is the food and nourishment of Faith? "My flesh is meat
indeed, and My blood is drink indeed" (John 6:55).
To take God at His word is the business of Faith.
Faith can never fail of the reward of perseverance: the Lord
delights in persevering faith.
In trial of faith, let us take heed to our spirit that we trust
God without stint. The soul's repose in Him is His delight; and
He will honour it. Jehovah sitteth King upon the floods, and
faith sits with Him.