What a comfort is the Christian faith! What a joy is the Christian hope! What a life is Christian love! It is a peace which passes all understanding - both for our present and temporal, but also for our future and eternal, lives.

How was it possible for Paul and Silas to sing psalms in the inner prison with their feet in the stocks and their backs torn open by scourging? How was it possible for Daniel to calmly respond to King Darius from the lions' den? How was it possible for the Shunamite woman to say "All is well," when her son had just died? These were possible only through faith and trust in God and His fatherly providential hand.

We need God to implant faith in our hearts, and we need Him to exercise, enliven, and strengthen it in our lives. Do you know something of this in your life's experience, or are you yet a stranger of it?

The following stories help to illustrate some aspects of the blessedness of a lively faith in God and His fatherly providence.

Mr. Thomas, a godfearing father who was in very difficult and trying circumstances, entered his home carrying a heavy package for his wife. He saw his daughter, who was ill, lying on the living room couch.

Going up to her, he kissed her, and said, "Elsie, where is Mother? I have a surprise for her."

"She's upstairs, Dad. May I bring the surprise to her?"

"Why, my girl! You are not even strong enough to walk up the stairs yet, and could certainly never carry a heavy package like this!"

"I know," said his daughter, "but I can if you carry me.91

With a smile, he gave his daughter the package and carried her upstairs to her mother.

The Lord used this event to teach him a profitable lesson. While God placed a burden upon him, as a greater Father, the Lord would also support and carry him with his burden.