Faith: "Knowledge born of religious love." Or "The Theological virtue of inner strength and confidence from God on High in the face of this life's obstacles and adversities." Jacob, in the twenty-eighth chapter of Genesis, was on a journey, leaving the safety and familiarity of his home country. Darkness enveloped him and fatigue overtook him. Precisely at that moment, "There was the Lord standing beside him". Through faith, fear and fatigue were banished. "When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he exclaimed, "Truly, the LORD is in this spot, although I did not know it!" In solemn wonder he cried out: "How awesome...!" How awesome indeed!
In Matthew, chapter nine, a synagogue official just experienced the death of his beloved daughter, a horror that every parent dreads. A woman is suffering dreadfully from hemorrhages, which she has endured for twelve years; one of the greatest fears any person could consider, a life of prolonged suffering. Yet, precisely when the sorrow was deepest in the loss of a loved one or when suffering seemed unbearable, faith revealed the Lord Jesus was with them, rushing to meet them, there at their fingertips. How awesome...
Today, offer the simple yet profound prayer: "Lord, I have faith that you are with me, no matter what may happen to me. Strengthen my lack of faith."