Faith

Have you ever seen a mustard seed? It is a tiny seed, Yet Jesus said that we only need faith like a grain of a mustard seed to be able to say to a mountain go and move away and it will. Of course that doesn’t mean that we want to move a mountain literally. What Jesus was talking about was a mountain of problems. People complain that they have many worries, but if they have a living faith, a faith that keeps a constant connection with heaven, then they could “cast all their care upon him for he cares for us.” (1 Peter 5:7) We will, with his help, be able to remove the mountains from our path.

“You may be perplexed in business; your prospects may grow darker and darker, and you may be threatened with loss. But do not become discouraged; cast your care upon God, and remain calm and cheerful. Begin every day with earnest prayer, not omitting to offer praise and thanksgiving. Ask for wisdom to manage your affairs with discretion, and thus prevent loss and disaster. Do all you can on your part to bring about favorable results. Jesus has promised divine aid, but not aside from human efforts. When, relying upon your tried Helper, do all you can and accept the result cheerfully. It will not always be gain from the worldling’s standpoint; but perhaps success might have been the worst thing for you. If your confidence remains unshaken that God will do all things well, these light afflictions will work out for you a “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” {Review and Herald, February 3, 1885 par. 5}

“When we speak of faith, there is a distinction that should be borne in mind. There is a kind of belief that is wholly distinct from faith. The existence and power of God, the truth of His word, are facts that even Satan and his hosts cannot at heart deny. The Bible says that “the devils also believe, and tremble;” but this is not faith. James 2:19. Where there is not only a belief in God’s word, but a submission of the will to Him; where the heart is yielded to Him, the affections fixed upon Him, there is faith—faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Through this faith the heart is renewed in the image of God. The heart that in its non renewed state is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, now delights in its holy precepts, exclaiming with the psalmist, “O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97.” {Steps to Christ p.63}

In the storm on Galilee the disciples of Jesus had a mountain before them, but in that crucial moment they forgot that they had the master of the universe with them. They could rely on Him to help them out when they had done all they possibly could. Jesus was in the boat with them, sleeping, because He knew that his Heavenly Father would not let the waves engulf the boat, and if He did, it was His will.

There was once a man that was preparing for an operation. His family stood around looking very anxious. They didn’t think he had a very great chance of living through this operation. Then he saw the anxiety on their faces and said, “Don’t worry, if God wants me to live, no doctor in the world can kill me, and if God wants me to die, no doctor in the world can save me!” He had a living faith, an implicit trust in his heavenly father. He knew that God was the master of the situation. Whatever might happen, it was all His will. He knew that God never sleeps but is ever watching over his people.

Matthew 10:29, 31 says; “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father…Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
Yet we cannot expect to be able to claim the promises of God if we are not obeying his will. We must follow his path to be able to claim his protection.

‘The promises of God are not for us to claim rashly, to protect us while we rush on recklessly into danger, violating the laws of nature or disregarding prudence and the judgment God has given us to use. This would not be genuine faith but presumption.. .” {1 Mind Character and Personality p. 25}

“But faith is in no sense allied to presumption. Only he who has true faith is secure against presumption. For presumption is Satan’s counterfeit of faith. Faith claims God’s promises, and brings forth fruit in obedience. Presumption also claims the promises, but uses them as Satan did, to excuse transgression. Faith would have led our first parents to trust the love of God, and to obey His commands. Presumption led them to transgress His law, believing that His great love would save them from the consequence of their sin. It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven without complying with the conditions on which mercy is to be granted. Genuine faith has its foundation in the promises and provisions of the Scriptures.” {DA 126.1}

We can only expect to claim God’s promises to us if we are on the path of obedience. If we try to claim the promises of God while not on that path it is presumption.

We have no need to fear. As long as we have faith and not presumption we can rest assured, God is in control. All we have to do is trust in Him and follow his commands. That’s all. Let go and let God accomplish His purposes. They will always be for our benefit, even if we don’t see it at the moment. But if we trust Him we will know some day.