I have frequently seen that the children of the Lord neglect prayer,
especially secret prayer, altogether too much; that many do not
exercise that faith which it is their privilege and duty to exercise,
often waiting for that feeling which faith alone can bring. Feeling
is not faith; the two are distinct. Faith is ours to exercise,
but joyful feeling and the blessing are God's to give. The grace
of God comes to the soul through the channel of living faith,
and that faith it is in our power to exercise.
True faith lays hold of and claims the promised blessing before
it is realized and felt. We must send up our petitions in faith
within the second veil and let our faith take hold of the promised
blessing and claim it as ours. We are then to believe that we
receive the blessing, because our faith has hold of it, and according
to the Word it is ours. "What things soever ye desire, when
ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Mark 11:24. Here is faith, naked faith, to believe that we receive
the blessing, even before we realize it. When the promised blessing
is realized and enjoyed, faith is swallowed up. But many suppose
they have much faith when sharing largely of the Holy Spirit and
that they cannot have faith unless they feel the power of the
Spirit. Such confound faith with the blessing that comes through
faith. The very time to exercise faith is when we feel destitute
of the Spirit. When thick clouds of darkness seem to hover over
the mind, then is the time to let living faith pierce the darkness
and scatter the clouds. True faith rests on the promises contained
in the Word of God, and those only who obey that Word can claim
its glorious promises. "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide
in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
John 15:7. "Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because
we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing
in His sight." 1 John 3:22.
We should be much in secret prayer. Christ is the vine, ye are
the branches. And if we would grow and flourish, we must continually
draw sap and nourishment from the Living Vine; for separated from
the Vine we have no strength.
I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in Israel.
He said, "Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press
your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The
promises are sure. Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and
ye shall have them." I was then pointed to Elijah. He was
subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly. His
faith endured the trial. Seven times he prayed before the Lord,
and at last the cloud was seen. I saw that we had doubted the
sure promises, and wounded the Saviour by our lack of faith. Said
the angel, "Gird the armor about thee, and above all take
the shield of faith; for that will guard the heart, the very life,
from the fiery darts of the wicked." If the enemy can lead
the desponding to take their eyes off from Jesus, and look to
themselves, and dwell upon their own unworthiness, instead of
dwelling upon the worthiness of Jesus, His love, His merits, and
His great mercy, he will get away their shield of faith and gain
his object; they will be exposed to his fiery temptations. The
weak should therefore look to Jesus, and believe in Him; they
then exercise faith.