Faith

Hebrews 11: 1 – 3

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Charles Blondin, the great Victorian funambulist (OK tightrope walker to save you having to google it), visited Britain in 1861 and performed daily at the Crystal Palace doing various stunts across the central transept some 20 plus metres in the air. Among his repertoire was completing a somersault off and landing on his tightrope – and just to make in interesting he was on stilts at the time. More commonly he would carry members of the public across from pillar to pillar on his back.

The Prince of Wales visited one day and was so impressed by Blondin’s daredevilry that he asked to speak to him after the performance. They had a nice chat in which Prince Edward complimented Blondin and said how much he admired and respected the skills he possessed.

Blondin, not one to pass up a chance for publicity, offered to carry the Prince across his rope. Edward declined the offer which prompted Blondin to say “So you admire my talents yet you have no faith in my ability?”

We do, though, have the chance to see God in action and see how great his capabilities are, but unlike the Prince of Wales with Blondin we can and should put our trust fully in him. By faith we can echo a poem scratched on the wall of a Nazi Concentration Camp near Cologne;

“I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining

And I believe in love, even when no one is there

And I believe in God, even when he is silent”

The sun is always there, love is always around us and God is never far from us; that is the basis of our faith and gives us the power to carry on.

We do believe in his ability.

Prayer

Lord God, our loving Father in Heaven, we thank you for faith new every morning to get us through the day, and then the dark night. Strengthen our faith so we might see you in all things and hear you even when we think you are silent.

In your Mercy hear our prayer,

Amen