Faith in God does not necessarily act according to human logic, but it knows and sees that our mighty God is able to carry out all that must be accomplished.
Let us look at Elijah as he stood before the prophets of Baal. He built the altar, properly placed the sacrifice on it, and then thoroughly drenched everything with water. The water could not shake Elijah’s faith. His faith already saw everything consumed, and God had fire enough to not only burn the sacrifice, but to consume the wood, stones, and water. This was a powerful display of God’s power. It also showed that He was the God of fire, water, and rain. Elijah knew that it was as easy for God to withhold the rain as it was to send it.
If we consider God’s power and might, and His willingness to do and give, we would not so easily limit Him. Faith, as in Elijah’s case, saw the rain before it fell. The handful of flour fed three people for a whole year. Because there was a God in heaven, Elijah never had to face famine.
We see the same faith in the prophet Elisha. A woman who was deep in debt sought help from him. He asked her what she had in her house. She said: “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” Elisha answered her: “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors, empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones” (2 Kings 4:2-4). Again, we see his strong faith. He had no doubt that there would be enough oil.
Faith had its effect. Look at the woman pouring the oil into the vessels. All the vessels were filled, and she asked for more. She just wanted to pay off her debt, but faith extended itself beyond her debt. She still had enough for herself. Her faith was richly rewarded.
In 2 Kings 6, we read how the king of Syria surrounded the city of Dothan to capture Elisha. When his servant saw the great army, he exclaimed, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” But Elisha calmed him, saying, “‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (verses 15-17). Elisha saw the army of the Syrians, but he also saw the more powerful army on his side. He had experienced God over and over again as faithful and true, and knew that He was a God of love and power. He also knew that God would not abandon him in battle.
Faith looks beyond the seemingly impossible. It sees the things not yet there as if they were already there. Faith is completely satisfied and secure in God. The person of faith trusts fully in the word, “Thus says the Lord!” We can all have such faith because it is simple to believe God, trust Him, and act accordingly.
Faith knows no boundaries
Than God’s word alone;
It triumphs over every enemy,
The fullness is His alone.
Jennie M. Byers
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