[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-0721":3},"JULY 21\r\nLet me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece (Judges 6.39).\r\nThere are degrees to faith. At one stage of Christian experience we\r\ncannot believe unless we have some sign or some great manifestation of feeling. We feel our fleece, like Gideon, and if it is wet we\r\nare willing to trust God. This may be true faith, but it is\r\nImperfect It always looks for feeling or some token beside the Word\r\nof God. It marks quite an advance in faith when we trust God without feelings. It is blessed to believe without having any\r\nemotion.\r\nThere is a third stage of faith which even transcends that of\r\nGideon and his fleece. The first phase of faith believes when there\r\nare favourable emotions, the second believes when there is the\r\nabsence of feeling, but this third form of faith believes God and\r\nHis Word when circumstances, emotions, appearances, people, and human reason all urge to the contrary. Paul exercised this faith in\r\nActs 27:20, 25, \"And when neither sun nor stars in many days\r\nappeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.\" Notwithstanding all this Paul said,\r\n\"Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer, for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.\"\r\nMay God give us faith to fully trust His Word though everything else witness the other way. --C. H. P.\r\nWhen is the time to trust? Is it when all is calm,\r\nWhen waves the victor's palm, And life is one glad psalm Of joy and praise?\r\nNay! but the time to trust\r\nIs when the waves beat high, When storm clouds fill the sky, And\r\nprayer is one long cry, O help and save!\r\nWhen is the time to trust?   Is it when friends are true? Is it when comforts woo,\r\nAnd in all we say and do We meet but praise?\r\nNay! but the time to trust\r\nIs when we stand alone,\r\nAnd summer birds have flown,\r\nAnd every prop is gone, All else but God.\r\nWhat is the time to trust? Is it some future day,\r\nWhen you have tried your way, And learned to trust and pray By bitter woe?\r\nNay! but the time to trust Is in this moment's need,\r\n\r\nPoor, broken, bruised reed! Poor, troubled soul, make speed To trust thy God.\r\nWhat is the time to trust?\r\nIs it when hopes beat high,\r\nWhen sunshine gilds the sky,\r\nAnd joy and ecstasy Fill all the heart?\r\nNay! but the time to trust Is when our joy if fled,\r\nWhen sorrow bows the head, And all is cold and dead,\r\nAll else but God. --Selected.",1783499793226]