Faith by S. S. Times

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 1, 1885

Faith.

By S. S. Times

THE man who doesn't expect to succeed, not only is unlikely to succeed himself, but he is liable to keep others from succeeding. The earlier he gets out from the lead, and goes to the rear, the better for all concerned. One man of faith is worth a thousand men of doubt, and two are worth ten thousand, when it comes to the chasing and putting to flight business. One ruddy-faced stripling with a sling and stones and a faith-filled heart, is a stronger force against the average army of Philistines, than that youth's three big brothers, and "the captain of their thousand," and all the other captains, and all the other thousands, with their coats of mail, and their helmets of brass, and their swords and shields, and their banners and trumpets, and their chattering teeth, and their knocking knees, and their sore dismay, and their great fear, in the presence of one burly and bragging giant of Gath. And if David's brothers are fearful and afraid, themselves, about the issue of a fight with Goliath, it is better for them to go back from the front, and eat their parched corn and cheeses, instead of keeping on the battle line with their sneers at their little brother, who—as they look at it—doesn't know enough to have any doubts and fears.

This is a truth for the teachers and preachers to have in mind. If they know so much that they must be full of their fears and doubtings, they ought to know enough to stand back from the front, and let those who believe something go ahead and show their faith by their works. The power of Gideon's band, or of any other host of Jehovah, is not in its numbers, nor yet in the knowledge and skill of its members, but it is in the confident trust of every person belonging to it, in the cause for which he stands and in the commander who leads him. If you have faith, you have power. If you lack faith, you so far lack power. "Have faith," is the command to every servant and soldier of Christ. "According to your faith, be it unto you," is the assurance which accompanies this command.—S. S. Times.