Psalm of the Day: Psalm 107:32-43
Wisdom of the Day: Job 27:13-23
Scripture Reading: Luke 8:49-56
Let us notice that faith in Christ's love and power is the best remedy in time of trouble. We are told that when Jesus heard the news that the ruler's daughter was dead He said to him, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be healed." These words, no doubt, were spoken with immediate reference to the miracle our Lord was going to perform. But we need not doubt that they were also meant for the perpetual benefit of the Church. They were meant to reveal to us the grand secret of comfort in the hour of need. That secret is to exercise faith.
Let a petition for more faith form a part of all our daily prayers. As ever we would have peace, and calmness, and quietness of heart let us often say, "Lord, increase our faith!" A hundred painful things may happen to us every week in this evil world, of which our poor weak minds cannot see the reason. Without faith, we shall be constantly disturbed and cast down. Nothing will make us cheerful and tranquil, but an abiding sense of Christ's love, Christ's wisdom, Christ's care over us, and Christ's providential management of all our affairs. Faith will not sink under the weight of evil tidings. "He will have no fear of bad news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." (Psalm 112:7.)
Faith can sit still and wait for better times. Faith can see light even in the darkest hour, and a needs-be for the heaviest trial. Faith can find room to build an Ebenezer (stone of help) under any circumstances, and can sing songs in the night in any condition. "He who believes shall not make haste." "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you." Once more let the lesson be engraved on our minds: If we would travel comfortably through this world, we must "believe."
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, please increase my faith.
Action Plan: Consider what prohibits me from exercising faith. What are my fears about faith? Why do I refuse to trust God at certain times?
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
