134. The victory of faith
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"To him who believes, all things are possible," said he who cannot lie. Why, then, have I so many fears about many things? Would I not cheerfully commit the lot of my friends to the providence of God? Why, then, not commit the hearts of my nearest and dearest relations to the grace of God? Cannot he who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, shine into their hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of his own glory in the face of Jesus? Is God more niggardly of the graces of his Spirit, than of the good things of his providence?
Does he supply with his common kindness—the creatures he has made; and cannot he supply with his special grace—the souls he has created? To him on his omnipotent throne—every creature may look up for protection and supply; but to him on the throne of his grace—we may come with boldness, for grace, the best of blessings, to ourselves, our friends, our acquaintance, to our enemies, to all.
To act strong faith in the most important matters, glorifies God most; and the salvation of my own soul, and the souls of my dear friends, is of all matters the most important. While I seek the salvation of my friends, I seek the glory of God, for in their salvation he is glorified. Then, with all the eagerness of desire, with all the importunity of a poor supplicant, with all the boldness of faith—I plead, I wrestle, I implore, that the souls of these my dear friends may believe in the Savior who came to seek and to save the lost.
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