This was one of the wisest apostolic utterances. The world is unconscious of its unbelief. It thinks that the reason why it has not more faith, is that there is no more evidence given to it. But no accumulation of evidence would remove the difficulty. A change within, a couching of the moral vision; this is that which is necessary.
The Lord answers this prayer, not in general by giving new evidence, but by inclining us to view and appreciate the evidence before our minds. By leading us to weigh his promises in the scales of faith against the proffers of the world. By making us to see that faith is the essential condition of blessedness. By showing us that we get no good by unbelief, but mere confusion and wretchedness: - that faith is the perception of truth, and leads us, not to a castle upon the earth, (which might be burnt up,) not to a castle in the air, (which vanishes away,) but to a glorious mansion which hath foundations unmovable, battlements insurmountable, amplitude immeasurable, light inextinguishable, glory inconceivable, and happiness in violable.
A daily devotional written by a Baptist Missionary to India, Reverend George Bowen (1816-1888) over 150 years ago.
George H. Bowen (30 April 1816 at Middlebury, Vermont – 5 February 1888 at Bombay, India) was an American missionary, newspaper man, linguist, and translator in India. He was known as "The White Saint of India" for his resemblance in manner and dress to the Hindu holy men.
This was one of the wisest apostolic utterances. The world is unconscious of its unbelief. It thinks that the reason why it has not more faith, is that there is no more evidence given to it. But no accumulation of evidence would remove the difficulty. A change within, a couching of the moral vision; this is that which is necessary.
The Lord answers this prayer, not in general by giving new evidence, but by inclining us to view and appreciate the evidence before our minds. By leading us to weigh his promises in the scales of faith against the proffers of the world. By making us to see that faith is the essential condition of blessedness. By showing us that we get no good by unbelief, but mere confusion and wretchedness: - that faith is the perception of truth, and leads us, not to a castle upon the earth, (which might be burnt up,) not to a castle in the air, (which vanishes away,) but to a glorious mansion which hath foundations unmovable, battlements insurmountable, amplitude immeasurable, light inextinguishable, glory inconceivable, and happiness in violable.