The Importance of Faith

I am speaking to you today about what I believe to be the most important part of our lives, the most important thing that each one of us has. Without it we can have no joy. Without it we cannot pray. Without it we can never find peace with God. And without it we will certainly never please God. It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is our faith.

Faith is a daily necessity whether one is getting married, taking a job, struggling with an illness, or overcoming a handicap. And faith in God is the cornerstone of all faiths. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote this: “If you believe in God where is there any more room for terror? If you are sure that God, in the long run, means kindness by you, you should be happy.”

At this time in our nation's history people are looking to God, they are exercising their faith. Since September 11th church attendance has skyrocketed. People have started to look at their faith as they should, internally, and using their hearts. The people of the United States of America are looking back to their religious heritage. Families are praying together more than they ever have before. They are growing closer together because they are realizing just how precious their lives and relationships are to one another.

Ephesians 6:16 says this: “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” We as Americans must stand united, having faith that the evil we know as terrorism in this world today, will be stopped and defeated so that we will have victory over and freedom from: fear and worry and the danger of sudden death and pain.

We are a people of faith and that should not be denied. Because without faith there can be no hope and with no hope there is no life worth living. I encourage you to stand firm in your faith being men and women of courage! And most importantly, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

There once was a schoolteacher who gave to three of his pupils a difficult problem. “You will find it very hard to solve,” he said, “but there is a way.” After repeated attempts, one of them gave up in despair. “There is no way!” he declared. The second pupil had not succeeded, yet he was smiling and unconcerned. “I know it can be explained, because I have seen it done.” The third worked on, long after the rest had given up. His head ached and his brain was in a whirl. Yet as he went over it again and again, he said without faltering, “I know there is a way, because the master has said it.” Here is faith - that confidence that rests not upon what is has seen, but upon the promises of God.

I am a Christian through faith and the life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20). My faith guides my life and through it I am made whole. I a wait that wonderful day when my faith will be made sight, but until that day has come I will continue to persevere with all the hope that God has given me.

I would now like to close by reading a hymn by Frederick W. Faber. It is entitled “Faith Of Our Fathers, Living Still.”

Faith of our fathers, living still

In spite of dungeon, fire and sword,

O how our hearts beat high with joy

Whene'er we hear that glorious word!

Faith of our fathers, holy faith,

We will be true to thee till death.

Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,

Were still in heart and conscience free,

And blest would be their children's fate,

Though they, like them, should die for thee.

Faith of our fathers, holy faith,

We will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our fathers, faith and prayer,

Shall keep our country brave and free,

And through the truth that comes from God,

Our land shall then indeed be free.

Faith or our fathers, holy faith,

We will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our fathers, we will love

Both friend and foe in all our strife,

And preach thee, too, as love knows how

By kindly words and virtuous life.

Faith of our fathers, holy faith,

We will be true to thee till death.

May God bless America and may God bless each and every one of you!

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