Feeling flows from faith, not faith from feeling. Take an illustration. A fond mother gets a letter from an unknown hand. It comes from a doctor in New Zealand, and gives the good news that her only son, just recovered from a dangerous illness, is on his way home. How happy the news makes her! Indeed, so intense is her emotion that she even weeps for joy. But where did the feelings of gladness come from?
She knew that her son was coming.
How did she know he was coming?
She believed the doctor’s letter.
Why did she believe the doctor’s word?
She had heard how kind he had been to her son, and she knew he would not try to deceive her.
So you see there were four distinct things in connection with it.
1St. She got the letter.
2nd. She believed it, because of who it was that sent it.
3rd. She knew her son was better, and on his way home, because she believed the letter.
4th. She felt happy about it, because she knew he was well in health and coming home.
Do you not see that the happy feelings come last, while you would put them first? She did not say, I know he is coming home, because I feel so happy; but I cannot help feeling happy, since I know my boy is coming.
And haven’t we got God’s letter, telling us of Christ’s accepted work, and what is true of those who trust in Him? Faith accepts the glad message, and rejoices.
Jesus did it — on the cross.
God says it — in His word.
I believe it — in my heart.
I believe it (not because I feel it, but) because God says it; and God has said it because Jesus did it.
Faith boldly puts her Amen to what God says, BECAUSE God says it.
May my reader do the same.