9 October | Youth
«Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”» Hebrews 10:38
A second can mean a lot in matters involving life and death. If it were not for God's providence, many stories with happy endings could have been great tragedies. The only safeguard for the righteous is faith. Believing in divine promises is anchoring in a safe haven.
A family was traveling by boat. It was a routine commute for them. That day, the unexpected happened. As the boat was moving, one of the couple's daughters, just four years old, fell into the river. When the parents realized it, they maneuvered the boat to try to find the little child in the immense river. By divine providence they found the girl alive. The faith shown by the family was important at that challenging time.
It is true that this story could have had a different outcome, and that would not necessarily mean a lack of faith. The parents' testimony, however, revealed that they looked for their daughter fully trusting in the Father in Heaven. They received their daughter back from the hands of the Lord.
Faith is not human merit. It is the key that opens the storehouse of God's blessings. It is the only way out for Christians. Believing is trusting despite unfavorable circumstances. Having faith implies not giving up, trying and trusting in divine intervention, respecting the Father's time. Faith finds rest in divine sovereignty and does not question either God's power or will. The only rope you really have at your disposal is faith; so, hold tight and trust. There is no safer bulwark.
When adverse moments buffet us, and trials knock on our door, there is no wiser and safer decision than, by faith, anchoring our boat in God. The righteous by faith does not retreat in the face of trials. On the contrary, it continues to follow, even if everything seems to indicate otherwise. Faith reveals the calm face of Jesus, gives us the ability to hold his hand and gives us the power to go through any storm, no matter how bad it may be. When raging rivers try to take away your peace, hold tight to the hands of the Lord. Do not fear. Just believe.