March 7

Morning

“Have faith in God,” Jesus said to them. — Mark 11:22 BSB

Faith is the foot of the soul that allows it to walk the path of God’s commands. Love may make those feet move faster, but it’s faith that gives them the strength to carry the soul forward. Faith is like oil, helping the wheels of our devotion and piety move smoothly. Without faith, the wheels are gone, and we struggle to move at all. With faith, I can do anything; without it, I lack both the desire and the power to serve God. If you want to find the people who serve God the best, look for those with the strongest faith.

Little faith will save a person, but little faith can’t do great things for God. Poor "Little-Faith" couldn’t have fought "Apollyon"—it took "Christian" to do that. Poor "Little-Faith" couldn’t defeat "Giant Despair"—that required "Great-heart." Little faith will get you to heaven, but it often hides in fear and loses much along the way. Little faith says, “The road is rough, full of thorns and dangers; I’m afraid to go on!” But Great-faith remembers the promise, “Your shoes will be iron and brass; as your days, so shall your strength be,” and moves forward boldly. Little-faith weeps at the river's edge, but Great-faith sings, “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I’ve called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you won’t drown! When you walk through fire, you won’t be burned, for I am the Lord, your God, your Savior,” and she crosses the river immediately.

Do you want to live comfortably and joyfully? Do you want your faith to bring cheer, not gloom? Then, “have faith in God.” If you love the shadows and are satisfied with gloom, be content with little faith. But if you love the sunshine and the songs of joy, desire and seek after great faith.

Evening

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. — Ps 118:8 BSB

You’ve probably faced the temptation to rely on what you can see, instead of trusting in the unseen God. We often look to people for help and advice, weakening our trust in God alone.

Is this message finding you, child of God, anxious about your physical needs? Then let’s reason together. You trust in Jesus alone for your salvation, so why are you troubled? “Because my burdens are great!” But isn’t it written, “Cast your burden on the Lord”? “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Can’t you trust God for your daily needs too? “I wish I could,” you say. If you can’t trust Him with your earthly needs, how can you trust Him with your soul’s redemption? Can you trust Him to save you eternally but not to provide for you in this life? Is God not sufficient for all your needs, or do you think His resources are too limited for your problems? Do you need help beyond what He can give? Is His strength too weak? If so, look elsewhere. But if He is infinite, all-powerful, faithful, true, and wise, why seek help anywhere else? Why search the world for another foundation when this one can bear all the weight you’ll ever place on it?

Christian, don’t mix your faith with reliance on human solutions. Don’t dilute your pure trust in God with confidence in man. Rest solely in God and let your hope come from Him. Don’t seek temporary comforts like Jonah’s gourd but trust in Jonah’s God. Let the foolish build on the shifting sands of earthly trust, but you, like one who foresees the storm, build your home on the solid Rock of Ages.