STAND UP!

It is always a blessing when the clouds are rolled away and the beautiful sunshine comes streaming in my windows!  And it's an even greater blessing to know that I have sunshine in my soul today!  What a blessed privilege it is to be a child of the King!  I have been thinking about Faith, and how we read in God's Word that without faith it is impossible to please Him, so I thought I would share these wonderful words by Willaim Ellis that I found in an old Sunday School paper from 1956.

"This is not quicksand.  Go ahead -- jump up and down, rest your whole weight, for you will not sink -- this is solid ground.  What is??  Faith!  'The substance of things hoped for' -- 'the evidence of things not seen' -- the framer of worlds -- the channel of justification -- the climax of sanctification -- the roadway of the pilgrim -- the bedrock of prayer.  Stand up, man, stand up -- faith is the victory over sin, hell, and the grave.

BY FAITH -- Abel presented a bleeding sacrifice -- Enoch disappeared into the skies -- Noah hammered until an Ark was built -- Abraham sought a city not made with hands.

BY FAITH -- Moses forsook Egypt -- Rahab perished not -- David  slew Goliath -- Samuel faced Saul.

BY FAITH -- Flames of violence were extinguished -- Armies were put to crying flight -- Weaklings were made champions -- Mouths of lions were closed.

They stand taller than the Empire State Building, these men of faith, and they form the greatest galaxy of stars this old sod-filled earth has ever known.  Some might have lost their heads like ripened wheat, but they held their faith.  Lifting their holy hands skyward, they beckon the followers of the Master to march onward with flaming swords and burning hearts.  To stand among these faithful stalwarts is our splendid privilege.  It may appear that carnal men will triumph, but no!  Materialism may now cloud the sky, but not forever.  Politicians are playing a delightful game, but a whistle will ultimately end the fracas.  Ah!  how surprised they will be when the final curtain drops, and the men of faith -- so long overlooked -- will march with flying banners to the Eternal City of God!  

Do not be ashamed of your faith.  Stand up man, stand up!  Your faith triumphs!"

Praise the Lord!  Let us sing together -- "Faith is the Victory!  Faith is the Victory!  Oh, glorious victory that overcomes the world!"