June 20 Daily Devotional

Bible Verse

"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith" (Gal. 3:26).

Devotional

It is delightful to trace the different displays of faith which the Holy Spirit presents in his own Word. And he seems to have spread them out before us in this way so that the ever varied and varying circumstances of the saints of God may be adequately met.

In some sections of his Word, he presents sturdy characters with a strong, gigantic faith. For example that was strong faith in the centurion when he said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed" (Matt. 8:8). That was great faith exhibited in the case of the woman of Canaan who, at the apparent rejection of the blessed Lord, would take no denial, but met his apparent objection by saying, "'Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.' Then Jesus answered her, 'O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire'" (Matt. 15:27–28). That, too, was strong faith in Abraham, who could take his son, his only, son, his son whom he loved, and offer him up at God's bidding (Gen. 22). And, to mention no more, that was strong, unwavering faith in Job, who could say, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15 KJV).

But, on the other hand, the Holy Spirit presents some of the weakest exhibitions of faith in order that no dear child of God, resting in simple reliance on Christ, might despair.

That was feeble faith which the leper exercised when he said, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean" (Luke 5:12). He did not doubt Christ's ability. The only point he seemed to question was his willingness to cleanse him. That was faith of the same feeble character, exercised by the father who brought his child to Jesus to be dispossessed of an unclean spirit, with this request, "'If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' ... And Jesus said to him, '"If you can"! All things are possible for one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:22–24). In this case, Christ's willingness was fully believed but his ability was doubted. And yet, in both cases, the one that doubted his willingness, and the other that doubted his ability, Christ manifested his compassion and answered their requests.

Let no anxious, seeking soul, then, hang back from Jesus because of the weakness of his faith. Your faith may be small in its degree. It may be weak in its exhibition. Yet it is "precious faith"—yes, it is "like precious faith" with Abraham and Job, and all the prophets and apostles (2 Pet. 1:1). If you have faith, no matter how small, it yet is "the faith of God's elect" (Titus 1:1). It is of the mighty operation of the Holy Spirit. And even though it is feeble, yet, if it directs your eye out of and off of yourself, simply to Jesus, that single glance shall sweep the ocean fullness of his love into your soul.

Lord, I believe; thy pow'r I own,
thy Word I would obey;
I wander comfortless and lone
when from thy truth I stray.

(John R. Wreford, 1837)

Be sure to read the Preface by Octavius Winslow and A Note from the Editor by Larry E. Wilson.

Larry Wilson is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In addition to having served as the General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education of the OPC (2000–2004) and having written a number of articles and booklets (such as God's Words for Worship and Why Does the OPC Baptize Infants) for New Horizons and elsewhere, he has pastored OPC churches in Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. We are grateful to him for his editing of Morning Thoughts, the OPC Daily Devotional for 2011.