Faith is tested and proved; only God tries the weak gently, and the strong severely. The trial of our faith is much more precious than of gold, which perishes. This is subjected to the heat of the furnace, but our faith is tried by the things of every day, and often by the heat of affliction, so that it might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:77That 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)). What a light does this cast upon the trials and difficulties which all who love Christ must needs undergo!
True faith moves the whole being. God spoke to Abraham: he believed God, and believing, became a pilgrim and a stranger on earth, and a looker for a city which has foundations, and whose builder and maker is God.
God gave David the promise of the throne, and though pursued by Saul, and at times despairing of his life, still David believed God, and was more than conqueror.
God told Paul that he and those with him in the ship should be saved out of the storm; Paul believed God, and not one of those was lost for whom he trusted the divine Word. The Word of God has much greater influence over some Christians than others. Why? Some believe God, others hardly do so. We are not now speaking of salvation, but of practical daily life.
Faith overcomes difficulties—nay, impossibilities!—as the overthrow of Jericho, and the triumphs of Gideon and of Samson show, and as the records of earnest, believing men of our times prove. The giants among believers are the men of faith, strong in faith, made strong by it, for God’s work and glory!