Oh, For A Faith!

There is an old hymn titled "O For A Faith That Will Not Shrink" (words by William H. Bathurst, 1831) that focuses on a faith that "will not shrink", "will not tremble", "will not murmur or complain", "that shines bright and clear", that "knows no fear" and "feels no doubt"; all regardless of what was being faced in life. Would we not say that is amazing faith? The longing of this hymn is for "SUCH A FAITH as this." That is the specific plea of the fourth verse. SUCH A FAITH brings stability to life.

SUCH A FAITH was exhibited in the lives of some we read of in the Scripture as they faced seeming insurmountable odds, yet kept their focus on God and what He had declared. SUCH A FAITH is noted by Paul -- a great man of faith himself -- as he reminded his Roman readers of Abraham. Paul's point centered on the promise to Abraham as belonging to "the one who SHARES THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM", based not on the Law, but on grace. ( Romans 4:16) What marked that faith we are encouraged to share?

We read. . .
"(18) IN HOPE HE BELIEVED AGAINST HOPE, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, 'So shall your offspring be.' (19) He DID NOT WEAKEN IN FAITH when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. (20) NO DISTRUST MADE HIM WAVER concerning the promise of God, but he GREW STRONG IN HIS FAITH as he gave glory to God, (21) FULLY CONVINCED THAT GOD WAS ABLE TO DO WHAT HE HAD PROMISED." ( Romans 4:18-21 ESV)

What marked Abraham's faith? What does it mean for us to SHARE THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM? It means for us to also maintain hope even when things -- according to the flesh or power of mankind -- seem to be hopeless. It means that in spite of our seeming limitations, rather than weakening in our faith, we grow stronger in it. It means to have no distrust in God, but rather remain fully convinced of God's ability to bring about everything He has ever promised. It is to take the focus off of trust in what can become of our own bodies and instead putting absolute trust in the God Who created us and has the supreme ability to do all He desires to do in and through us.

To grow in SUCH A FAITH as Abraham is to be heirs also of the promised blessing God made to him. ( Romans 4:13-16) That is the faith we are exhorted to share.

As the last verse of the hymn mentioned above reads. . .

"Lord, give us such a faith as this;
And then, whate'er may come,
We'll taste e'en here the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home."

Have a great day MAKING SUCH A FAITH OURS!
Carl

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