Based on the book by Hannah W. Smith "The God Of All Comfort"
can be read online here or downloaded to your PC

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/smith_hw/comfort.I.html


Chapter 14 - The Shout Of Faith
“And when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up, every man straight before him.”

Did ya ever wonder what it was they shouted? I have.



Living portraits, the history of the Bible is the history of my own life, its experiences, its triumphs and its defeats. There is a history that is B.C. that era before Christ and there is that era A.D. that is after His death and resurrection.

These have become important milestones along the way of my life. That journey that brings me as Joshua to places I’ve never been before.



OK, how does this thing of faith really work? “Now can you tell me of any short road to victory; something that I can lay hold of just at the needed moment?”

This is a good question the man asked because he simply wasn’t looking for a quick fix but the tactic to use at any given moment of attack. Can you see the difference in his question? He wasn’t asking, how can I get what I want as soon as possible?

Recognition and Response this is the simplest terms that I can put Christianity into concerning its form however it must be recognized, understood and accepted that Jesus Christ Himself is the substance of our religion and righteousness.

It was not an instantaneous fix for this man of a natural ill temper – anger, the attacks came all day long. There were blows to his psyche, there were physical blows to his body; these are the avenues the enemy uses to open the door to our soul and spirit so the dogs can come in and have their way.

Looking at the essence of Abraham’s faith there these are the things I find;

When the Living God appeared to Abraham there was the primary recognition that this is the true and only God. God said go to a land I will show you. And Abraham went even though he did not know where he was going. Abraham accepted God is God and he was the created creature.

Along the way there were delays, waiting for his natural father to die in Haran. This was Abraham’s journey and God’s design. There were troubles.

God made Abraham a promise – even though Abraham was as old as dirt and his wife Sarah was so far past menopause her period was barely a memory as she saw every mourning her boobs reaching to her waistline… Abraham considered Him who promised faithful. Doesn’t matter what things look like, doesn’t matter what they really are; God can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. All us little piggies should know that. But if you haven’t ventured out on your own journey in its trials and errors you won’t know that.

Abraham, sacrifice your only son Isaac, God said. The one son I promised you’d have and would have sons and grandsons and be a blessing even to the Gentiles.

Abraham said, You can’t mean that LORD!

No, actually Abraham took the time to consider God and his journey with Him and he knew God was faithful even when he screwed up. Ya see, Abraham was a Daddy’s boy, a chicken heart and a liar. But, Abraham REASONED that the Living God was able to raise the dead to life. In effect it won’t matter if he slaughters his own son God can make him live. Notice please that it NEVER came to that. God stopped him as soon as the portrait was complete and Abraham’s faith had been proved complete.

In essence what Abraham said in demonstration, he knew God could and he knew God would. Faith says it’s done and so much more than merely done. When Isaacs asked, ‘where’s the animal for the sacrifice?’ Abraham said, God will provide it.

Hannah points out what the Psalmist said in 56:9. It reminds me of what was said in another,

Psa 20:6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.

Without the journey you will not know. Without the knowledge of God you won’t understand the reply the minister gave to the man – you’re apt to think its some magical incantation.

Participation, our best spiritual practice as the faith of Him is the force that moves us in the power and mighty purpose of His Holy Spirit. The sure fix is the blood of Christ that cleanses me from all my sins.