WILLIE'S father is the captain of a steamer, and is sometimes away from home for weeks at a time. When he sails on the home voyage, he sends a telegram to his wife, and for the next few days, Willie, his only son, is often down at the seashore, looking across the bay for the red funnels of his father's steamer. He believes his father's telegram, and of course expects to see his father's boat. This is faith.
Faith believes God's Word, and expects to see and receive what God has promised.
Sometimes Willie's father promises to bring from the distant port, some gift or plaything for his little son. Then Willie expects to get it when his father comes home. That is faith.
Faith always gets what Jesus promises. When Jesus says,
"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)), faith comes and gets that rest. When Jesus says,
"I will come again and receive you unto Myself" (John 14:33And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:3)), faith looks out for and expects Him. So you see faith is just believing what God says, and expecting what He promises.
Willie, the captain's boy, believes in Jesus, has salvation, and is looking for the promised glory. How happy he is. Are you?
Messages of God’s Love 2/6/1932