SUCH was the answer I received from a little boy in reply to the question, “What is faith?” which I had given to a large Sunday school class. The lesson was that beautiful story of the Lord Jesus healing the Centurion’s servant. beginning, Matt. 8:55And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, (Matthew 8:5). I do not know in what way the little fellow connected the two—faith and happiness— in his own mind ; but I am sure it can easily be shown that they do go hand in hand. Let us see: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” In order to please God, then, we must have faith; but is not this a very cheering discovery to find from His own word that there is a way in which we can please God? Now, if you turn to that lesson again, Matt. 8 you will see, (ver. 8.) that the Centurion takes his true place, “I am not worthy.” There he gives the Lord His true place — “Speak the word only and my servant shall be healed.” Faith ever says, God is over all. Faith sees that the Lord Jesus put away all our sins by dying on the cross. As you read this paper, can you say, “Jesus died for me”? Here is the refuge from judgment, and therefore the place of real happiness—sheltered by the blood of the cross.
We may well believe that that Centurion’s house was one of the happiest of homes that day and many days after. The dear servant who was “ready to die” a short time before, was then raised up and able to attend to his accustomed duties.
What happiness crowned the Centurion’s faith!
But do the Scriptures tell us in so many words what faith is? I believe they do see Heb. 11:11Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1). “Faith is the substance of things hoped for.” God promises us something; at once we look forward to it, we hope for it; but because it is. God who has promised, we know there can be no failure: in Him is yea and amen. So faith enters into the joy of God’s promises now. Faith dwells with delight on all God says. Who will say that faith and happiness are not closely linked? No doubt the very moment the Centurion saw the Lord Jesus approaching his house, his faith saw the servant restored; not a shadow of a doubt crossed his mind. May it be ours to know all the happiness, daily, that faith gives.
R. M.
ML 08/12/1900