Faith Without Works is Dead
The beautiful woman at the farm gate stood gazing longingly at the view of the distant village. She was as pretty as a picture… her long silky hair was swirling round her dainty face as the soft morning breeze blew softly across the meadows glistening with golden corn.
That something was troubling her it was easy to see. The maid had a worried frown upon her brow that told the tall white haired elderly man who was approaching from down the country lane that something was badly amiss with this gentle girl.
As the old fellow approached he took a long look at the woman before speaking to her. When he finally spoke it was with words as tender as could be.
“Sweet Maid, you are concerned how you will reach the man who is calling for you. You are worried about how you will cross the great swamp where many a traveller has perished. You are fearful that he will not love you as he says. You doubt whether it is Gods will for your life. Your heart aches for your homeland and your people, but do you not know the truth?” The Lord of the Universe who created you is in control of your life. When you gave Him your will to do with it whatever He wanted, you gave Him control. That is control of your life for His glory and honour.
The maiden looked up in surprise at his words
“Little child, do not be afraid, take the first step of faith and the way shall open unto you. For if you have faith then show it by your works… prepare and step out, but always be waiting on the Lord to direct your steps. My daughter, take heed to my words… Faith without works is dead!
“Father,” the girl asked. “What is that first step?”
“It is a simple one indeed,” replied the old fellow. “Only start walking across the field and realise the God who made you has you safe and secure in the palm of His hand. He will not let you go… and when you reach the man who calls for you on the other side, the Lord will hold you both…because the Lord can hold the whole wide world in His hands!!! Never fear…never doubt, only trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey!”
The maid flung her arms round the fellow’s neck and tears of joy poured down her cheeks as she kissed him gratefully for his words. Then she turned and leapt over the stile in a single bound, and danced off across the meadows where over yonder I could see a man standing patiently waiting. He was leaning against a tree with an old felt hat over his eyes and he was chewing a piece of straw. Softly floating across the still morning air the sound of singing could be heard.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”
I saw the girl walking confidently across the swamp with her head held high… her gaze was turned heavenward as she began to sing in harmony with her lover on the farther side. When the pretty maid drew near the man, he straightened up and pushed his hat back before reaching out his hand in encouragement to her. Closer she steadily came… through the depths of doubt and confusion to finally reach out and grasp the hand of her lover. There was silence for a moment as their hands locked, and then their voices rang with praise for Almighty God who had worked this miracle.
Faith in Jesus had got them this far… but I did not stay to watch the future unfold… that is a secret known only to God!
Moral: If faith can move mountains it can also fill swamps and bridge valleys.
By: Adam R. B. Reeve
1st July 2011
That something was troubling her it was easy to see. The maid had a worried frown upon her brow that told the tall white haired elderly man who was approaching from down the country lane that something was badly amiss with this gentle girl.
As the old fellow approached he took a long look at the woman before speaking to her. When he finally spoke it was with words as tender as could be.
“Sweet Maid, you are concerned how you will reach the man who is calling for you. You are worried about how you will cross the great swamp where many a traveller has perished. You are fearful that he will not love you as he says. You doubt whether it is Gods will for your life. Your heart aches for your homeland and your people, but do you not know the truth?” The Lord of the Universe who created you is in control of your life. When you gave Him your will to do with it whatever He wanted, you gave Him control. That is control of your life for His glory and honour.
The maiden looked up in surprise at his words
“Little child, do not be afraid, take the first step of faith and the way shall open unto you. For if you have faith then show it by your works… prepare and step out, but always be waiting on the Lord to direct your steps. My daughter, take heed to my words… Faith without works is dead!
“Father,” the girl asked. “What is that first step?”
“It is a simple one indeed,” replied the old fellow. “Only start walking across the field and realise the God who made you has you safe and secure in the palm of His hand. He will not let you go… and when you reach the man who calls for you on the other side, the Lord will hold you both…because the Lord can hold the whole wide world in His hands!!! Never fear…never doubt, only trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey!”
The maid flung her arms round the fellow’s neck and tears of joy poured down her cheeks as she kissed him gratefully for his words. Then she turned and leapt over the stile in a single bound, and danced off across the meadows where over yonder I could see a man standing patiently waiting. He was leaning against a tree with an old felt hat over his eyes and he was chewing a piece of straw. Softly floating across the still morning air the sound of singing could be heard.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”
I saw the girl walking confidently across the swamp with her head held high… her gaze was turned heavenward as she began to sing in harmony with her lover on the farther side. When the pretty maid drew near the man, he straightened up and pushed his hat back before reaching out his hand in encouragement to her. Closer she steadily came… through the depths of doubt and confusion to finally reach out and grasp the hand of her lover. There was silence for a moment as their hands locked, and then their voices rang with praise for Almighty God who had worked this miracle.
Faith in Jesus had got them this far… but I did not stay to watch the future unfold… that is a secret known only to God!
Moral: If faith can move mountains it can also fill swamps and bridge valleys.
By: Adam R. B. Reeve
1st July 2011