Active Faith

Now, we say so often: 'feelings make no difference, sight is not the question at all, faith is the thing that gives substance to the things unseen'.

Yes, beloved, that is true to principle, it is active faith.

Faith which is the active thing.

Sometimes we have said: 'Alright, I will not disbelieve, I will blankly hold on although I cannot feel, I cannot see, I have no sense of it, I will hold on to the truth.'

That is an excellent thing if we go that far, but very often for our deliverance just a little more than that is needed.

It means acting upon. Oh yes, I have to go somewhere, I have to do something, and if one thing more than another is needed, it is that there should be a knowledge that the LORD is in me for this.

I have not that feeling, that sense at all.

Well, I believe He is, but I cannot go unless I have a manifestation - well, you will never go. 

It is as you go, that is, put your faith into action and count upon the LORD as in you to meet that situation, that you will find He is there.

We have found that so often; again and again we have had to start out as though we had hardly ever known the LORD in our life, if ever we did have an experience of the LORD, well, it has gone; feels as though it's gone for ever.

We have had to start like that as though alone, but have had to say: 'LORD, You are faithful, You are unchangeable.

You are not like I am, subject to all kinds of variations of feelings and emotions and actions. 

You are the same yesterday, today and for ever. 

You abide faithful, there is no variation with You, no shadow cast by turning.

You have said this and I take You at Your word and I am going on the strength of that, feeling nothing.'

The wonderful thing is you have a good time! 

The LORD does come up to the occasion; it is just wonderful.

When it is over you may just go back again and feel as dry as ever you did.

He, the LORD, meets the occasion, you have connected your faith and the LORD has approved, and you know.

~T. Austin Sparks~