"WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD." But our faith is often weak, our unbelief very strong. It is so natural for a sinner to disbelieve God, and it is often difficult for a Christian to give full credit to God's promises. Sometimes His word appears to be too good to be true; at other times we have such a vivid sense of our sinfulness, that we cannot admit that such great and glorious blessings are for us. Indeed, it is very difficult to believe that God is as good as His word declares; that His promises belong to us sinners, and that we may believe, appropriate, and plead them as made to us. We fear presumption and so yield to unbelief. We listen to Satan and so doubt and fear. But Jesus asks, "If I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?" Is then the promise true? Is it made to sinners? Does it flow from grace? Then let us endeavour to believe, to rest on the word, to expect that God will do as He has said. Let us take our unbelief where we take our other sins to Jesus; let us confess it, deplore it, and cry with His disciples of old, "Lord, increase our faith." Or with the poor man in the text, "Help thou mine unbelief." Help me to conquer it, and to triumph over it.

For Meditation:
Lord, Thou hast said, Thou wilt forgive;
Now help me to believe and live:
A living, vigorous faith impart,
And seal Thy pardon in my heart.