August 25
Faith in Every Sense
Faith is described in a variety of ways in the Bible. It is sight: "Turn to me and be saved."1 It is hearing: "Hear, that your soul shall live."2 Faith is smelling: "Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia";3 "your name is oil poured out."4 Faith is spiritual touch. By this faith the woman came behind and touched the hem of Christ's garment, and by this we handle the things of the good word of life. Faith is equally the spirit's taste. "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth."5 "Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life."6
One of the first performances of faith is hearing. We hear the voice of God not only with the physical ear, but with the spiritual ear; we hear it as God's Word, and we believe it as such; that is the hearing of faith. Then our mind looks upon the truth as it is presented to us; that is to say, we understand it, we perceive its meaning; that is the seeing of faith. Next we discover its preciousness; we begin to admire it and find how fragrant it is; that is faith in its smell. Then we appropriate the mercies that are prepared for us in Christ; that is faith in its touch. Then follow the enjoyments, peace, delight, communion, which are faith in its taste. Any one of these acts of faith is saving. To hear Christ's voice as the sure voice of God in the soul will save us; but that which gives true enjoyment is the aspect of faith whereby we taste and see that the Lord is good. In this way we receive Christ, and He becomes, by inward and spiritual apprehension, to be the precious food for our souls. Here we learn to sit under His shadow "with great delight"7 and find His fruit sweet to our taste.
1 Isaiah 45:22
2 Isaiah 55:3
3 Psalm 45:8
4 Song of Solomon 1:3
5 Psalm 119:103
6 John 6:54
7 Song of Solomon 2:3
Family Bible reading plan
verse 1 1 Samuel 17
verse 2 Romans 15
The Company We Keep: In Search of Biblical Friendship
Broader and deeper than simple fellowship, biblical friendship is first and foremost about a relationship with Jesus Christ. As you are brought into friendship and relationship with the Father, Jesus Christ calls you a friend! It is out of this friendship that our human friendships find their beginning and their purpose. Biblical friendship is deep, honest, pure, transparent, and liberating. It is also attainable. Dig into this book, and learn how your friendships can embody this amazing and wonderful reality.
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From Morning & Evening revised and edited by Alistair Begg copyright © 2003. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org.
