I. A consciously exclusive confidence in God
I. A consciously exclusive confidence in God
Having the fullness of faith, the soul continuously exclaims, under all circumstances, with the Psalmist, Wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him; it is such a vision and persuasion of Gods almightiness, all-lovingness, and all-faithfulness as that the soul is given a set God-ward it will not look for help self ward, man-ward, earth-ward, circumstance-ward,—or other-ward. Faith in an imperfect measure is often deluded by favorable circumstances or promising indications, only to be disappointed. I recall in my own early ministry how my immature faith was disappointed on one occasion in its hopes, because it unconsciously reposed on indications. A protracted meeting was begun; the attendance was large; general interest good; my heart prophesied to itself a glorious revival.
But the interest evanesced; the results were meager. My faith had been misplaced. As I now know, I had great faith in the indications, and but little faith in God.
A noted evangelist taught me in a very abrupt way a lesson of faith. I had been chosen to welcome him to the city where he was to labor. I met him on his arrival at the depot; introduced myself to him, when he at once informally said to me: Have you faith in God? I replied: Our preparatory services have been good; the indications are favorable. Instantly he rejoined:
We cant depend on good meetings, favorable indications, or any thing of that kind. Have you faith in God? Then as I came to think of it. I found that I had much faith in the auspicious meetings already held, and in the coming evangelist, but very little faith in God.
The soul that is full of faith never becomes confounded by unconscious dependence upon apparent encouragements. Neither will discouragements dismay it. Oppositions, adversities, difficulties, do not enter into its calculations. It believes fully that all things are possible to him that believeth. It anticipates revivals in the face of prevalent deadness; expects victory where opposition is the most formidable; and keeps in heart where providences are the most disheartening. The fact is, a soul full of faith cant be discouraged, because it knows it shall not be disappointed. It shouts for what is to be done, even when, to human appearance, there is no hope of success. It says, We are fully able to go up, though the rabble of unbelief clamors: We cant. It utters the victorious hallelujahs which bring the walls of every frowning Jericho into the dust.
A pastor, who had not yet entered into the fullness of faith, closed a weekly prayer meeting, heart-sunken with discouragement, because of the few present and the unpromising outlook for the Church, when a good brother present came up to him and said What a good meeting we had tonight! The Lord is going to revive his work. That was the outlook of faith in its fullness. A pastor went to his field of labor; every thing was unpromising; religion was in great decline. His wife said: There can be no success here.
His reply was: Faithful is he who hath promised, who also will do it. That faith was honored in a most wonderful ingathering of souls and a great quickening of the Church a few months later. Faith in its fullness is
A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without,
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt.
That sister most nearly discovered the secret of the Revelation Thomas Hansons power as an evangelist, who said: He is a knot of faith. A man full of faith.
A man full of faith is a man of God. He has a sustained conviction that God can not be unfaithful, and has an impressive sense that he is, and that he is rewarder of those who trust him.