NOTE.-Intelligent faith as to what G.o.d will do for us touching any matter must be gained by what G.o.d"s Word says concerning that point. No one can consistently hope for that which G.o.d has not promised. To expect that G.o.d will do that which He has never promised to do is only presumption. Faith is distinct from presumption. To have abiding confidence in the promise of G.o.d is faith; but presumption may rest entirely on feeling or desire.
Feeling cannot therefore be relied on in the matter of faith.
Faith is a pure belief, a confiding trust, in the promises of G.o.d, irrespective of feeling. This perfect trust enables one to surmount difficulties under the most trying circ.u.mstances, even when the feelings are depressed or well-nigh crushed.
12. Upon what, then, is genuine, saving faith based?
"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by _the word of G.o.d_." Rom. 10:17.
13. What was the cause of Peter"s sinking after he had started to meet the Saviour on the stormy sea?
"And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, _O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?_" Matt.
14:31.
NOTE.-The boisterous sea caused Peter to doubt the strength of Christ"s word, "Come."
14. With what is it our privilege to be filled?
"Now the G.o.d of hope _fill you with all joy and peace in believing_, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." Rom. 15:13.
NOTE.-Faith may be strengthened by daily exercise. It is not some great thing, done once for all, that gives an individual faith; but an every-day, simple, childlike trust in G.o.d, and an implicit obedience to His Word. Some make faith a more difficult matter than G.o.d would have them, because they try to embrace too much at one time. They take on the burdens of tomorrow or next week, when the Lord supplies strength only for _today_. When tomorrow comes, grapple with its duties, but not until it does come. We should remember the precious promise, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." Deut. 33:25.
Away, my unbelieving fear!
Fear shall in me no more have place: My Saviour doth not yet appear, He hides the brightness of His face; But shall I therefore let Him go, And basely to the tempter yield?- No, in the strength of Jesus, no; I never will give up my shield.
CHARLES WESLEY.
Trials And Their Object
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Job Hearing Of His Losses. "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." Rom. 5:3, 4.
1. What does the apostle Peter say concerning the trials through which every believer must pa.s.s?
"Beloved, _think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you_, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ"s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12, 13.
2. How important is the trial of our faith?
"That the trial of your faith, _being much more precious than of gold that perisheth_, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7.
NOTES.-"When David was fleeing through the wilderness, pursued by his own son, he was being prepared to become the sweet singer of Israel. The pit and the dungeon were the best schools at which Joseph ever graduated. The hurricane that upset the tent and killed Job"s children prepared the man of Uz to write the magnificent poem that has astonished the ages. There is no way to get the wheat out of the straw but to thresh it out. There is no way to purify the gold but to burn it."-_Talmage"s __"__One Thousand Gems,__"__ page 83._
Nothing "happens" to the Christian. Everything that enters his life is sent or permitted to come by an all-wise and all-loving Heavenly Father, and is designed for the perfection of character, and the fitting up and the enlargement of capacity for service.
The rocks and rough places on the mountainside are the things we climb on. Even failures, if taken rightly, may become stepping-stones to higher ground.
3. What reason did Paul give for glorying in tribulations?
"We glory in tribulations also: _knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed_; because the love of G.o.d is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Rom. 5:3-5.
4. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to befall the people of G.o.d down through the ages?
"And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: _yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days_." Dan. 11:33.
5. Why was this to be?
"And some of them of understanding shall fall, _to try them, and to purge, and to make them white_, even to the time of the end." Verse 35.
6. Looking forward to the conflicts through which His followers must pa.s.s, what cheering message did Christ send them through the revelator?
"_Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer_: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, _that ye may be tried; ... be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.... He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death._" Rev. 2:10, 11. See notes on pages 282, 314.
7. What description does Paul give of the sufferings endured by some of G.o.d"s people in former ages?
"Others were _tortured_, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of _cruel mockings_ and _scourgings_, yea, moreover of _bonds_ and _imprisonment_: they were _stoned_, they were _sawn asunder_, were _tempted_, were _slain with the sword_: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being dest.i.tute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) _they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth_." Heb.
11:35-38.
8. How many does Paul say will suffer persecution?
"Yea, and _all that will live G.o.dly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution_." 2 Tim. 3:12.
9. Does G.o.d willingly afflict the children of men?
"For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compa.s.sion according to the mult.i.tude of His mercies. _For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men._" Lam. 3:31-33.
10. Why, then, does G.o.d permit the chastening rod to fall?
"For they [parents] verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He _for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness_." Heb. 12:10.
11. Referring to Peter"s coming sore trial, for what did Christ say He had prayed?
"Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, _that thy faith fail not_." Luke 22:31, 32.
12. What cheering promise is made to those who endure the trials and temptations of this life?
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, _he shall receive the crown of life_, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him." James 1:12.