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Scripture for the day: James 2:17-18 Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by my works.
Thought for the day: Now, I know what you must be thinking: that’s a strange scripture to use for Advent. I guess in a way it is, but let me take a moment to make a point about faith and how we must exercise it in our lives. Faith is to the spiritual body as muscle is to the physical. Faith is what takes us where we need to be, does the work that needs to be done, and enables us to get around as we should in the spiritual realm, just as muscle does in the physical. Both require exercise. Without exercising our physical muscles, they will become atrophied and useless when they are truly needed. The same is true of our faith; without regular exercise (and a proper spiritual diet by the way) our faith will become weak and useless when truly needed. Now, how does this apply to the Advent season we’re currently celebrating?
And what of the Advent? Where does the faith come in? Think back to the story of Joseph and Mary, the shepherds and wise men. Each one was approached and given some tremendous news. Each one was required to exercise tremendous faith in order to see the outcome of that news. Any one of those involved could have chosen not to act on their faith and God would have had to choose another way to fulfill His plan. Mary wasn't the only young lady among the children of Israel whom God could have used. She was the one, though, who had the faith to say yes, not knowing exactly all that meant. Joseph could have reacted differently to the message he was given as he slept, but he chose to trust his God rather than his traditions and customs.
And what of us? Where is our faith? Is it strong because of exercise or weak due to lack of use? If the same propositions were put to us as were presented to Mary and Joseph and the others, would we pass the test? I know I’ve used the following story as a good example of exercised faith before, but it’s a good reminder of the degree to which we are called to exercise our faith before we see results, not as a response to them.
The story is told of Hudson Taylor, who started the China Inland Mission during the 1800's. As he was first going to that great unreached land, the ship on which he'd booked passage was suddenly becalmed near some islands known to be inhabited by cannibals. The ship sat with sails furled, drifting ever closer to the shore where the cannibals waited expecting a great feast. Finally the captain knocked on the door of Mr. Taylor and implored him to pray for some wind that they might escape what appeared to be certain death.
Mr. Taylor asked, "Are the sails set to catch the breeze?" When the captain answered, "No," Hudson Taylor replied, "Then I will not pray."
After some time the captain came again to ask for prayer, still refusing to look like a fool by setting the sails when there was no wind. Mr. Taylor again refused to pray, saying instead, "I will not undertake to pray for the vessel unless you set the sails."
Finally, in desperation, the captain ordered all sails set to catch the wind that wasn't there. Hudson Taylor began to pray. In a short while there came a rapping at his cabin door. The captain asked, "Are you still praying?"
Mr. Taylor replied, "Of course."
"Well you'd better stop," said the captain, "We've got more wind than we can handle!"
Now go exercise your faith in response to what God is asking of you this Advent season. - Bill