Asking in Faith – October 03, 1999
Faith is essential to life. Almost intuitively, we recognize a need for it. We seek it; we live by it. But sometimes we yearn for more.
Even a child draws on reserves of faith when faced with questions that remain unanswered for a time. A four-year-old boy lost something that was most dear to him. He and his family spent much of an evening searching for it. More than once, the boy knelt in prayer, asking for help to find what he had misplaced. But night fell, and the little boy was ushered to bed. Disappointed, but still believing, he glanced heavenward and said: “I know Jesus is pointing to it. I just can’t see where He’s pointing.”
Haven’t we all felt that way before? We know the Lord is watching over, and we want to feel closer to Him. We want to feel of His love and know that He is mindful of us. We want to see “where He’s pointing” and get beyond confusion and uncertainty.
The Lord has not left us without guidance and comfort. He has shown us where and how to find Him if only we will seek Him. In the epistle of James, we are promised: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, . . . But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”1
Asking in faith implies more than positive thinking. It involves learning and living, pondering and praying. Like all spiritual gifts, faith is born of active seeking. Faith does not spontaneously erupt at moments of crisis. Instead, it’s cultivated in the soil of service, nurtured by light and truth, and kept alive by righteous living—day upon day.
After a long night of not knowing, the little boy found his lost treasure. But resolutions to life’s problems don’t always come so quickly—or easily. In fact, most trials of faith are not resolved overnight. But always the Lord stands at the door and knocks. He has assured,
“. . . if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.”2
The Lord is there, pointing the way. Sometimes our faith may be challenged, but as we learn of Him and walk in His paths, we will better recognize and see His hand in our lives.
Program #3659
1. James 1:5,6.
2. Revelation 3:20.