In this day of doubt, the question is of paramount importance to us all: What is faith? Much depends, both for the present and for the future, upon the answer we are able to give to this question. Perhaps the simplest answer is given to us in the words of Paul, uttered during the violent storm which occurred on his voyage to Rome. The circumstances were most distressing. For several days the vessel in which he sailed had been tossed up and down in the Mediterranean Sea, with every prospect of total loss. When his fellow-travelers were at the point of despair, he told them of the simple message that had been conveyed to him by an angel of God, that not a life should be lost of all the 276 on board the ship. He added, “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me” (Acts 27:2525Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. (Acts 27:25)).
“I Believe God”
Here we have the whole secret of faith — “I believe God.” The first man and woman in this world lost confidence in their Creator when in the garden, preferring rather to receive the word of the serpent. Ever since it has been common with man to distrust and disbelieve his God. Faith is the return of the soul to man’s original confidence in his Maker.
May the voice of God be heard today by those who desire to hear it? Most assuredly! Is it conceivable that the God of unfathomable love and goodness would leave the vast human family without some light to illuminate its darkness? The thought is unnatural and impossible. Where, then, may the divine voice be heard? In the Scriptures, which are God-breathed, as Paul assured Timothy long ago. Let us then cherish confidence in the sacred writings, accepting them as the very Word of God. If these be surrendered, all is gone.
Tactics of the Enemy
Our arch-enemy Satan well knows where the key of the situation lies, and hence his persistent efforts throughout all ages to wrest the Scriptures from human hands. His tactics change with changing times, at one season rousing secular authorities to an epidemic of Bible burning, at another season filling the religious atmosphere with unholy criticism. But whatever the tactics, the aim is always the same — to destroy both faith and that on which faith rests.
“Sirs ... I believe God.” In the Bible God tells me of my sins, humbling me into the dust. Faithfully He warns me, in writings that will never deceive, what must be the consequences of sin. More, and better than all, He unfolds to me a heart of infinite affection, which did not hold back even from the sacrifice of His own well-beloved Son, that sinful men might, on a perfectly righteous basis, be saved and blessed forevermore. Surely such a God is worthy of all my heart’s confidence and love.
W. W. Fereday