A Walk By Faith - Alone

"Nothing else but this seeing God in everything will make us loving and patient with those who annoy and trouble us. They will be to us then only the instruments for accomplishing His tender and wise purposes towards us, and we shall even find ourselves at last inwardly thanking them for the blessings they bring us. Nothing else will completely put an end to all murmuring or rebelling thoughts." H. W. SMITH.

The above words were penned by Hannah Whittal Smith in circa 1800. This is a woman whose husband, once a fiery evangelist, preaching the gospel to thousands, turned away from "the call" for something other than being obedient to the Holy One, even to the point of taking up a mistress in the years before his earthly death.

Mrs. Smith gave birth to three children during her marriage, one of whom died at an early age. She watched her other two children, once devoted to "The Way," grow up and walk away from God and the faith that she herself walked in her entire life.

It could only have been God and the Holy Spirit within her that allowed her to pen such words and to walk by faith without her family, seemingly alone. But I know, she knew what lie ahead, she could see the celestial city beyond the hill....

As I continue to travel the narrow path to that city, oh for eyes to see Him, a heart filled with only Him, and ears closed to everything but the voice of the Holy One.