"If only you knew
the many advantages of strong faith over weak faith you would not rest a minute
until it was yours. Strong faith conquers those temptations, which take weak a
prisoner. When David's faith prevailed, he looked death in the face fearlessly.
"For the people spoke of stoning him, but David encouraged himself in the
Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:6). Yet when his faith was
weak, he was ready to run and hide in the nearest hole to save himself (1
Samuel 21:13).
Strong faith frees
the Christian from those thoughts, which oppressed weak faith. "You wilt
keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you" (Isaiah
26:3). The more faith, the more inward peace and quietness; if
little faith, then little peace and serenity through the storms that
unbelieving fears will surely gather.
Weak faith will as
surely take the Christian to heaven as strong faith; for it is impossible that
the least ounce of true grace should perish, since it is all incorruptible
seed. But the doubting Christian will not have as pleasant a voyage there as
will the believer with strong faith. Although everyone aboard the ship will
arrive safely at the shore, yet the seasick traveler will not have so
comfortable a trip as the man who is healthy. The sick person misses pleasant
surprises during the delightful parts of the journey. But the strong man views
it all with abundance of expectation; and while he wishes with all his heart he
were already home, yet the joy he has shortens and sweetens his way to him.
Thus, Christian,
there are many delights which saints traveling to heaven meet on their way
there, besides what God has for them at the journey's end. It is the Christian
whose faith is strong enough to act upon the promise who finds and possesses
these pleasures.”
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings
in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617
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