Keep Your Faith Built Up

Our faith, that is the conquest which conquers the world.--I John 5: 4 (Moffatt).

We have a song that sings of faith as the victory that overcometh the world, its temptations, its evils, and the troubles that come to us in the world. If faith is to mean all this to us, we must cultivate it and keep it strong.

Faith grows weak when neglected. You cannot live a careless, thoughtless life year after year, neglecting your religious life, and expect to have a faith strong enough to carry you through when a crisis comes in your life. If you want your faith to be equal to the emergency when it comes, you must keep it nourished and built up.

As the marsh hen secretly builds on the watery sod, Behold, I will build me a nest on the greatness of God. But that nest has to be built. Unless you build it, you need not expect that nest to be a ready-made haven in which you can easily take refuge when the storm comes.

Getting ready for the crisis that is coming, for the sudden emergency that is going to swoop down on us, the hour when we will need the steadying power of faith, the dark night of sorrow when we shall need a faith to hang on to, the day of trial and frustration which demands the faith that is the conquest which conquers the world --that is a vitally important matter.

If you wish to develop a strong and dependable faith, study the records of faith in the Bible. Study the lives of those great Bible characters who through faith subdued the world, wrought righteousness, out of weakness were made strong (Heb. 11: 33-34). Read in other books of the men and women who have walked with God and found Him their refuge and strength. And then, coming closer home, think of those quiet men and women whom you know in your community who are, patiently and unobtrusively, living brave and triumphant lives because they have faith in God and trust in His loving care. Make use of all the means of grace, such as prayer and worship and the fellowship of the church. Take time to meditate upon God’s goodness and mercy and power.

• In brief, keep in the atmosphere of faith.
• Do this, and see how your faith will grow!