The Sixth of JanuaryALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE --- Mark 9:23."All things are possible to him that believeth." --- Mark 9:23. Faith is the principle thing in the Christian religion. It is the spiritual eyes enlightening the mind, directing the feet, and cheering the heart; the whole turns upon it. As our faith is, so is our strength and fruitfulness in good works. But, at the same time there is nothing more out of our own power than to believe, even after the work of grace has been actually wrought in our hearts. Therefore, nothing is more needful than to pray for faith as long as we live. May the Lord give and increase it continually! Nothing can be stronger in the universe than the hand of faith. By this we lay sure hold on our most glorious and almighty Lord in heaven; and such an inviolable union is established between Christ and a believing soul, that none can separate the one from the other; all the powers of hell and sin avail nothing against it. Faith breaks through the
greatest obstacles, removes mountains of difficulties and has, as it were,
a kind of omnipotence in it. For "this is the victory that overcometh
the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4.
Nay, it even wrestles with
God, and prevails. Genesis 32:28. As straw cannot withstand the force
of fire, so God being a wall of fire around his people, the greatest
power of our mighty enemies shall be consumed like the stubble. Oh, then,
look upon them steadfastly, my soul, and believe in him with a simple
heart. Wondrous are his ways with
his people, and past finding out; but, at last, all their sorrows and
strife, by the management of his infinite wisdom, must come to a glorious
and triumphant end.
Oh let us go from strength to strength |