I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me, GAL 2:20.

 JOB 21:7-15 shows how men who live in prosperity and the pleasures of this life become self-sufficient, proud, and filled with rebellion against God. "Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?"

Our lovely Saviour breaks this rebellion in His true sheep by leading them in the way of the cross. As we become, "crucified with Christ," we learn to say with Paul, "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ," PHI 3:8.

It is by following Jesus in the way of the cross that we begin to "live by the faith of the Son of God." Jesus tells how the Holy Spirit lifts Him up before faith's eyes as we tread in Jesus' steps, "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you," JOH 16:14. How often has the Holy Spirit encouraged you, and strengthened your faith by raising your eyes to see the faith of Jesus in the exact trial you are in?

In a time when it seems you have been betrayed by the brethren and sisters, and they have dealt with you most unfairly; has the Holy Spirit enabled you to "live by the faith of the Son of God"? Just in such a time the Holy Spirit lifts our eyes unto the faith of Jesus Christ saying, "Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds," HEB 12:3.

In a time when it seems you have been overcome with frustration; has the Holy Spirit enabled you to "live by the faith of the Son of God"? Just in such a time the Spirit lifts our eyes unto the perfect tranquillity of Jesus Christ: when Judas came to betray Him; when Peter stood cursing and swearing, denying he ever knew Him; when He was unjustly condemned to die, hanging upon the cross, by faith Jesus looked unto His Father saying, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do," LUK 23:34.

In a time when you are being tempted, and it seems as though you have no power against such fiery darts of Satan: has the Holy Spirit given you to "live by the faith of the Son of God"? In just such a time the Holy Spirit lifts our eyes unto Jesus' faith in His temptation: showing us our Heavenly High Priest, who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; because He was tempted in all points, "like as we are, yet without sin," HEB 4:15.

Oh, beloved, it is an unspeakable blessing that the Holy Spirit raises Jesus' faith before our eyes when our faith is tried. Many times we must say with Jesus in the extremity of His trial of faith, "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?" JOH 12:27. All human reasoning fails when we are, "crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Amen.