Faith is the Victory

by Candace M.
from Virtuous Daughters, August 2013~Volume 13, Number 5

Recently, our family was reading through Luke 9, and verse 41 was particularly striking: “And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.” In the beginning of the chapter, Jesus had given His disciples power and authority over all devils and power to cure diseases. He then sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Not long after their return (at least 10 days), a man brought his son to Jesus—a son who was possessed by a devil that the disciples were unable to cast out. This father cried to Jesus for help. Jesus’ answer (above) indicates a rebuke for the lack of faith the disciples exhibited. These were His own disciples: they had seen Him perform so many miracles, had been given power, and had healed people on this recent trip. And yet they were termed “faithless” and thus lacked power to do the work of God.

   Jesus never rebuked anyone for having too much faith, for trusting Him too much. Many times, however, He rebuked people for little faith or a lack of faith. I was challenged by that. How often I hesitate to take what seems to me to be a huge step of faith, wondering if I am ready for it, preferring a more “safe” option (which means one that is pretty well as fail-proof as I can make it). This hesitation, doubt, whatever I want to call it that is less than casting myself completely on the promises of God is sin. It implies that I can help God. It looks to me to determine what I can trust Him with, believing that somehow if I don’t trust Him with everything, but keep some things in my own control, it will be better than if I totally depended on Him. What folly and pride! Yet I know that I have often had that very attitude.

   Romans 4:20–21 says, “He [Abraham] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.” When I believe that God is Who He says He is and will do the things that He says He will, He is glorified.

   A few weeks ago, a friend gave me some homemade soap. We don’t often have homemade soap, so this was a special treat. It smelled really good, and I liked it so much that I put it in my drawer, admiring it every so often. I finally used it and it was just as nice as I had imagined. But think: what good is a gift that is never used because it is considered too special? I find in this a spiritual application for myself. God has given me everything that I need for life and godliness as well as all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. I am complete in Christ. I have so many “exceeding great and precious promises.” My friend didn’t give me the soap to sit in my drawer, for me to admire it and think how kind it was of her to give me such nice soap. She gave it to me to be used. Likewise, my Father hasn’t given me all these riches just so I can say that I have them, to marvel at every so often, or to look at and think how gracious He was to give them to me. He gave them to me so that I would use them. Whether it is faith or anything else, when I use His gifts, that is what really shows my gratitude for them; preserving them untouched is flat-out ingratitude, living just as if I
didn’t have them.

   As this relates to faith:
   ~Each of God’s children has been given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
   ~Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17)

   Let’s press on!

​When the frosts are in the valley,
And the mountain tops are grey,
And the choicest buds are blighted,
And the blossoms die away,
A loving Father whispers,
“This cometh from My hand”;
Blessed are ye if ye trust
Where ye cannot understand.
 
If, after years of toiling,
Your wealth should fly away
And leave your hands all empty,
And your locks are turning grey,
Remember then your Father
Owns all the sea and land;
Blessed are ye if ye trust
Where ye cannot understand.
~unknown~