What It Is to Believe in God.

"We have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him." Ephesians 3:12.

By saying, “ I believe in God,” we declare: What is set forth in

the three articles of the Creed I know to be the revealed truth of God’s holy Word, I accept it as such with sincere conviction, and with firm confidence I trust in it in life and death. First of all, true faith must turn to the revealed Word of God. For “how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” “ So, then, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Rom. 10,17. So, if you would have the true faith, you must, in the first place, have a knowledge of that which God teaches us in the Bible.

In the second place, you must accept as true what the Scrip­ tures say of God. You must give assent to everything you learn from the Bible. Of this the Lord Jesus says to the Jews: “Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me; for he wrote of Me.” In order to accept the Word of Christ as true, it is necessary diligently to read and hear the Word of Christ. For if you do this, you will so love the Lord Jesus and His Word that it will be im­ possible for you to think that He is an impostor. You will rather firmly believe every word of Holy Writ.

Mainly, however, faith is firm confidence of the heart. “Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not Been.” To believe in God means to trust in Him with a firm confidence. When we are told in the Bible that God is our true Father through Jesus Christ, and that we are His dear children, and if, then, trusting in this Word, we confidently come to God and cry, “Abba, Father,” — then we believe in God as we should. Then we have boldness and access with confidence. And when we hear the promise of God to give us eternal life and are so firmly convinced of this eternal life that it becomes our daily joy and comfort, then we believe in God as we should, with an unwaver­ ing trust.

Prayer.

Almighty and merciful God, we heartily pray Thee that it may please Thee to strengthen our faith in us that we may be able to say with the apostle in unwavering trust and confidence: “ I know whom I have believed and am persuaded.” Grant us such faith through the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may have a firm conviction, walk in obedience to Thee, and receive the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Lord. Amen.

Leave God to order all thy ways

And hope in Him, whate’er betide; 

Thou wilt find Him in the evil days

Thine all-sufficient Strength and Guide. 

Who trusts in God’s unchanging love 

Builds on a rock that naught can move.