Winning Faith by T. E. BOWEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 15, 1909

Winning Faith

By T. E. BOWEN

T. E. BOWEN

The Lord takes pleasure in meeting the faith of his believing children. While on earth, Jesus did everything he could to encourage men to exercise faith in his power. He healed in their presence; with a few loaves, he fed the multitudes; he stilled the tempest on the sea; he even walked out over the billows, through the storm, to save his disciples in a crisis. Yet how often he was disappointed in their really trusting him only in time of distress! “How is it,” he would ask, “that ye have no faith?” “According to your faith be it unto you,” was the rule by which he wrought for those who came unto him for help or healing.

One little incident in the early experience of Robert Moffat and wife in Africa illustrates how steady was the faith flame in Mrs. Moffat’s heart. Nearly ten years had passed, and there was no visible fruitage yet for their labors. A friend in England about this time, writing to her, asked what they could send in the way of a special gift that she would most prize. The answer was sent back, “Send us a communion service; we shall want it some day.”

Over two years passed, and surely it was a little peculiar that the very day before they held their first communion service in Africa, a delayed box should arrive at their mission, and when opened, lo and behold, here was the communion set from England, asked for so long before. Ah! God had watched over it, and answered the faith of his trusting servant.

The proper measure for faith is not so much what God is able to do, as what we are able to believe. God’s rule yet is, “according to your faith be it unto you.” This being true, let us cease blaming the Lord that greater results are not achieved in connection with his work in the earth, and join the apostles in their prayer, “Lord, increase our faith.”

Takoma Park, D. C.