Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you.… I. THE SOURCE OF FAITH IS DIVINE. "Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength" 1. Faith is Divine in its inception. God is author and object thereof. 2. Faith is Divine in its inspiration. Trust in God is not a single act, but a condition of restfulness. There are occasions when special acts are called forth, but these are the trials of faith. When Abraham was called to offer up Isaac on Moriah, God proved him there. II. THE SEAT OF FAITH IS MENTAL. "Whose mind (or thought) is stayed on Thee." Mr. Ruskin says, "The power, whether of painter or poet, to describe rightly what he calls an ideal thing depends upon its being to him not an ideal but a real thing. No man ever did, or ever will, work well but either from actual sight or sight of faith." The sight of faith is no less keen, or complete, or perfect, than actual sight. There are many thoughts which agitate the human heart — faith is the solution of these. 1. One thought is our acceptance before God. We are perplexed by many aspects of this all-important subject. Take one of them — how can the death of Jesus Christ atone for our sins? Faith alone can make the matter plain. How is it done? By taking the mind to God to be saved by the acceptance of this great truth. Faith never says, How is it? but, Let it be. God Himself is the solution of the difficulty. 2. Thoughts concerning our guidance in life. We are the creatures of circumstances, and often fail to see their bearing. Faith brings forth tranquillising influences, and speaks with firmness. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." All wrongs will be avenged. All stolen possessions will be restored. Therefore, take no thought for the morrow: He who measures the minutes fills them with mercies. III. THE INFLUENCE OF FAITH IS SUSTAINING. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose thought is stayed on Thee." 1. Faith is our strength in duty. To do the right is not always easy. We are often tempted to do as other people do, and sometimes we are chided because we do not follow the way of the world. Whatever may be the temptation to do wrong, or whatever may be the adverse criticism for doing right, trust in God will sustain us in the effort. 2. Faith is our stay in trouble. 3. Faith is our prospect in death. Charles Wesley said, "Satisfied! Satisfied!" Benjamin Abbot said, "I see Heaven opening out before me." Baron Humboldt was full of peace, and said, "How sweet these rays; they beckon me up to Heaven." Robert Wilkinson exclaimed, "The lovely beauty! the happiness of paradise." Mrs. Hemans bade this world adieu by saying, "The visions cannot be told; the mountaintops are gleaming from peak to peak." We believe in the same Saviour. God will be with us in the person of the Good Shepherd to lead us safely home. Why do the gracious impressions received by many, while listening to the Gospel, die out? Because they are not sustained by faith. (T. Davies, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.WEB: You will keep whoever's mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you. |
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