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February 1931
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
showed Himself strong in Abraham’s behalf, overthrow ing his enemies and driving them out before him. Every: believer is the object of attacks by Satan and by wicked spirits in heavenly places. But by faith he may shout: “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57). “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5 :4). Those who have Abraham’s faith may claim the victory that Abraham enjoyed. What a blessing there is in that thought in these days when the forces of dark ness are so active! Again, Abraham’s every need was met during the period of his sojourn in a strange land where he was surrounded by many foes. To those who trust God, He has given His Word that He will care for them in this world. “Trust in the Lord, and do good: so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed” (Psa. 37: 3). “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6: 30, 33). “But my God shall supply all your need, accord ing to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). If you will step out in faith, as Abraham did, even though hard times may come, God will protect you, provide for you, and bless you. A W alk W it h G od Finally, Abraham, through faith, enjoyed blessed fel lowship and communion with God. Today many of God’s people are running about blindly, gropingly, seeking spir itual uplift. They go into all kinds of vagaries and false cults, and still they find no help. What they need is the fellowship and communion of the Holy Spirit, made pos sible by the life of faith. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Each of us needs to get alone with God and pray that the Spirit of faith will take of the things of Christ and reveal them unto us. Only thus can we know quietness of heart and deep soul satisfaction. “The just shall live by faith.” Those who obey God’s command, accept His covenant, enter into the universal way which He opens, and partake of the blessings which He offers, find that the life of faith is life more abundant.
In the third chapter of Galatians the Spirit says: “That the blessings of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles.” They, too, like the patriarch, are commanded to live by faith, and the blessings of God that are offered them are to be received by faith. This is what Jesus our Lord meant when He said: “According to your faith be it unto you.” T h e B lessing of J ustification The first blessing promised Abraham was justification. He “believed God, and it was accounted to him for right eousness.” When salvation is accepted by faith, the bur den of the wrath of God is removed, and the joyous, won derful truth grips the heart, that the believer is “accepted in the beloved.” Then begins the blessed life of faith, in which the fear of death and judgment is replaced by life and peace. V ision of th e E ternal C ity In the second place, Abraham was enabled by faith to see “the city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Those who do not live by faith do not have this kind of vision. They are as unstable as the shifting circumstances of the world. Abraham could live happily in a tent because he knew it was merely a temporary abode. By faith, he saw his permanent home in the glory. Had that vision been lost, he would have been as unhappy and as unfortunate as those professing Christians of today who turn from the real life of faith and seek to find satisfaction in the passing outward show of the worldly-minded. How sad it is that in some cases the very buildings where men and women go, supposedly to worship and to cultivate the eye of faith which will en able them to see the celestial city, speak in every ornate detail of the crass materialism in the minds of those who are there as worshipers! Such worldly-minded souls look upon things that are pleasing to the eye and are unable to lift their sluggish souls to heights of prophetic vision. On the other hand, thousands of humble Christians have worshiped God in dens and caves of the earth and have lived in happy fellowship with Him in huts and hovels because, with the eye of faith, they saw the glories of the future. Moreover, Abraham was blessed with victory over his enemies. He lived amid hostile tribes, but because he trusted in the Almighty, he was never forsaken. God
O Child of God
0 child of God, He loveth thee And thou art all His own; With gentle hand He leadeth thee, Thou dost not walk alone; And though thou watchest wearily The long and stormy night, Yet in the morning joy will come: ■ And fill thy soul with light.
O child of God, wait patiently When dark thy path may be. And let thy faith lean trustingly On Him who cares for thee; And though the clouds hang drearily Upon the brow of night, Yet in the morning joy will come And fill thy soul with light.
Fanny J. Crosby.
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