March 6

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. — Rom 4:16 BSB

Faith is expressly called “the gift of God.” It is the master-grace of the soul, the central wheel that moves all other wheels in the heart. It acts as the eye, the ear, and the hand of the new man in grace. Only to the extent that we have faith, and the Lord draws out that faith in exercise, do we experience true spiritual feeling. But why do I prize the gift of faith so much? It’s because I know so painfully the indwelling and inworking of unbelief. Isn’t this true in life? What makes me value health? Having a weak, sickly body. What makes me value rest? Exhaustion. What makes me value ease? Pain. What makes me value food? Hunger. What makes me value water? Thirst. Through these experiences, I not only know the reality by its absence but also enjoy the blessing when it is given. The same is true spiritually.

How can I know faith unless I am exercised by the workings of unbelief, doubt, and all the reasons of an unbelieving heart? The soul, tossed back and forth on the sea of unbelief, learns to cherish the harbor of faith. And when the Lord mercifully grants even a little faith, and that faith begins to see, feel, experience, and feast on the truth in Jesus, then we understand what faith is by having it.

What a mercy that the Lord has the gift of faith to bestow! Here are poor souls, toiling, groaning, weighed down by unbelief, that giant in the heart who has slain so many. How our souls sometimes sink under this wretched unbelief! But when faith comes, we cherish it all the more! The deeper the sinking, the higher the rising, and the greater the sorrow, the sweeter the joy! Just as the sailor who has endured the storm treasures the calm harbor, so all the struggles with unbelief make the peaceful calm of living faith so precious to the soul.