Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-10-07
MOUNTAIN MOVING FAITH.

The story OF the syrophoenician wo-
man Matt. Is: 22-29) is a fair example
of mountain moving faith. for this wo-
mans faith moved not only the ordi-
nary mountains Of diflculty-pride, fear,
unbelief. etc.-but the most deep-rooted,
, the most formidable peak of all-the
! mountain OF prejudice. The point for
us to consider is that her faith was
equal to the demands made upon il.
! She might have petitioned all day but,
had faith been lacking, her daughter
would not have been healed in spite Of
the fact that Jesus would have been just
as willing. just as able, to do His part
of the work.
Please let us get the idea fixed in our
minds that II was the woman's faith that
saved her daughter. That faith is the
same thing and will accomplish just as
much in the 2th century as in the first
century. For right here is our lesson,
and I want us to look at IL entirely from
the standpoint OF the human; to try to
realize our own power with God; to try
to realize the fact that If there are fail
ures. IL is our own fault.
Jesus is the same. yesterday, today,
and tomorrow. God doesn't change. He
is the same loving. powerful, wonder
WORKING, MISUNDERSTANDING God who
healed the syrophoenician's daughter, but
when we make our prayer and He says
to US: BE II unto you according to your
faith" IL the faith is lacking, of course,
we don't get what we asked for, and we
wonder why God has failed us. Jesus
doesn't tell us that doubt can remove
mountains.
Now, OF course, we know that all Chris
tians have faith. II is impossible to be a
Christian without IL. for faith is the
very foundation-stone. the life-principle,
M ~ ha
be stronger than his faith. We obtain
spiritual blessings according to our faith
we accomplish things according to our
faith-we have doubts, fears, vexations,
or hope, peace, Joy, according to our
faith.
But there are kinds and kinds of faith.
and there Is a vast difference between
weak faith and strong faith. The one is
a believing. the other a knowing faith.
One gropes in the valley amongst the
shadows. the other dwells on the noun
tain tops with God, and for that reason
we call IL mountain top faith. 1t is also
the Notwithstanding faith.
The first says: II believe l am a
Christian. I hope my prayers will be
answered when death comes and I pass
through the dark valley, trust the
Lord will be with me-" The other says:
II know that my Redeemer liveth,"
Job; God is my rock and my saliva
ton: He is my defense; / shall not be
moved DAVID; II know that Thou
nearest he always" Jesus); and, when
death comes 'thereTl be no dark valley,
for Thou art with me. Thy word is a
lamp unto my feet and a light unto my
eyes; all songs OF triumph, of confidence,
you see"
In the 18th chapter of Hebrews we find
a wonderful category Of Old Testament
patriarchs and saints who had this
mountain top faith, but, as st. Paul
tells US the list is by no means COM
plete. This Syro-Phoenician had II. The
centurian at Capernaum had 1t. You re-
member he met Jesus on the way and
asked Him TO heal his servant. Jesus
answered at once: Yes. I'll go home
with you and heal your servant" but the
centurian probably knowing that Jesus
was tired. answer: No, Lord, it isn't
necessary for you to take that trouble.
have only to speak to my servants and
they obey me. Surely, you who are the
Lord of all things spiritual and temporal,
even the Master Of life and death, can
speak the word only and my servant will
be healed
Contrast IL with our own weak, puny
faith when We say: "Ohi that the Savior
were on earth now, that I might 20 to
Him and tell Him all my trials" Why
can't we realize that He is here now,
and that nothing but doubt stands be-
tween us and Him. I'm afraid some OF
us walk on a much lower plane OF Chris
tian faith than the heather centurian
just mentioned.
ANNIE DURHAM METHvIN
A Suggestion
Many Of the Householders have expressed