“It is faith that enlivens our work with perpetual cheerfulness. It commits every part of it to God, in the hope, that even mistakes shall be overruled for His glory; and thus relieves us from an oppressive anxiety, often attendant upon a deep sense of our responsibility.
The shortest way to peace will be found in casting ourselves upon God for daily pardon of deficiencies and supplies of grace, without looking too eagerly for present fruit. Hence our course of effort is unvarying, but more tranquil. It is peace—not slumber, rest in the work—not from it.
Faith also supports us under the trials of our Ministerial warfare with the clear view of the faithfulness of the covenant, and the stability of the church. And indeed, as all the promises are made to faith, or to the grace springing from it, this is the only spring of Christian courage, and Christian hope.
Unbelief looks at the difficulty. Faith regards the promise… But after all, the grand secret is habitually to have our eye upon Christ. Peter—looking at the waves instead of the Saviour— began to sink.
We too—if we look at the difficulties of our work, and forget the upholding arm of our ever-present Head—shall sink in despondency. Believe—wait— work—are the watchwords of the Ministry.
Believing the promise, gives the power to wait. Waiting supplies strength for work, and such working is not in ‘vain in the Lord.'”
–Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1830/2005), 178-179.
Unbelief looks at the difficulty. Faith regards the promise in Christ! Let’s learn that every day!