Faith is essential for the Christian life. We are saved through our faith in Christ. We are also enabled to serve Christ through our faith. Through faith we claim every grace that God offers us, and through faith each spiritual gift becomes stronger. Through faith our doubts vanish, temptations are weakened, prayers are answered, and God unleashes his power. Our text this morning teaches another truth about faith: that faith is also like a protective shield to us in our spiritual warfare. The psalmist said to God, "When I am afraid I will trust in you" (Psalm 56:3). Faith must rest upon a command or revelation of God, and when we are tempted to think that God has abandoned us, that he has not forgiven us, or that he does not even exist, these temptations and spiritual attacks are extinguished by placing our faith in his Word. Faith not only is a grace gift all by itself, but it also enriches every other gift God provides. Corrie ten Boom said, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." Where does faith fight to take hold of your heart? Where do you doubt? Where do you struggle? By the grace of God we can all grow in our faith and become stronger in our confidence. When our faith is weak, our entire Christian life suffers for it, and we easily fall into temptation. But when our faith is strong, then we are able to stand in the strength and power of God. - Pastor David Packer
