Thursday, April 24, 2008

Evidence: to prove, to make clear. To show in such a manner that the mind can apprehend the truth.

This morning my husband took me along while he met with a dying woman. He was called in to quickly put together this woman's Last Will and Testament. At eighty-five years old, she was breathing her last. Her daughter-in-law was the only one by her side and was busy trying to coordinate a meeting between this dying woman and her youngest son. My heart was so heavy, being a witness to this all. There was the evidence of traditional religion all around, but not the evidence of a life of faith. The verse that came to my mind this morning while there was, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Later today when I had my time in the Word, this very same verse was what the Lord used to speak to me once again. No matter if I am living or dying, faith should be evident. I pray that it will not take a CSI team to search for this spiritual evidence of faith in my life.


In my devotion time today this exerpt from "Streams in the Desert" spoke to my heart. Paraphrased here, I just had to share...


Faith...is the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

True faith drops its letter in the post office box, and lets it go. Distrust holds on to a corner of it, and wonders why the answer never comes. This is the way with true faith. It hands the case over to God , and then He works. The Thirty-Seventh Psalm says "Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."

But He doesn't work until we commit.

A Dr. Payson once said, "I have made this one test of my prayers: if after committing anything to God, I can like Hannah, come away and have my mind no longer sad, my heart no longer pained or anxious, I look upon it as proof that I have prayed in faith. But, if after praying I am still heavy with my burden, I conclude that faith was not in exercise."



4 comments:

Jonatha said...

How true - and a prayer to pray for my children as well.

Sheryl said...

Hey there-thanks for stopping by and thank you for the email (it was great to hear from you. I'll be responding as soon as I feel a bit better. (which better be soon-HA)

That quote by Dr. Payson...whoa is that convicting. "If after praying I am still heavy with burden, I conclude that faith was not in exercise" I know I need to build up my faith.

Thanks, my new friend-
Sheryl

Chelle' said...

WOW! Your posts are always worth the wait.

Thanks for sharing this.

Mari said...

Hi Joanne - I'm just back and trying to catch up on my blogs. I have seen this same thing and it's so sad. They've gone to church all their lives but are so scared to die because they never "got" it. I've also been so blessed to be with those who truly loved God and were anxious to see him in Glory - What a testimony they and their families are!
Thanks for sharing. I'm off to visit your Friday Favorite blogs.

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