of Faith
“When the day is dark and the way is obscure and we can still hold on, there is evidence that there is faith. When the sea of life is rough and we have the courage to step out boldly on the troubled waters, it is because there is still the divine gift at the very center of our being that is saying, ‘Peace, be still,’9 for ‘I am with thee and will not leave thee.’10 We have heard it. We can hear it always, if we will only take the time to listen.”
“When doubts arise and the clouds of despair are thick, do we not call out in the night, ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’11 Does not an answer come? Are we not stronger by having an experience that gives us a better understanding of our neighbor who suffers in the same manner?”
“Some years ago, I was with a party that was visiting a noted cavern. Everyone seemed very happy. After being in the cavern for a short time, I became very much frightened. The thought came to me, ‘How terrible, how dreadful it would be, if we could not find our way out!’ The very air seemed to press in upon me. Ages seemed to pass. Then came the Voice that has sustained me so often: ‘Lo, I am with you always.’12 ‘Be not afraid.’13 With these words there came the strengthening of my faith.”
“When loved ones are lingering in pain and no earthly help is nigh, are there not evidences of the faith of our fathers revived, when we pray and receive help? It brings the greatest comfort to us, not only in the trying times but at all times, to know inwardly that His promises are sure.”
Reward of Faith
Our rewards are in proportion to the faith we exercise. “According to your faith be it with you.”14 “Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”15 There is no limit to the reward. It is ours to measure, and ours to claim. “Prove me…if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”16
Let us open ourselves as channels, and have complete faith in God, for the battle is the Lord's. It remains to be seen what we can do when we give ourselves unreservedly into the hands of the Father. “And I will pray the Father and He shall give you another comforter, even the Spirit of Truth, who will guide you into all Truth.”17
“And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises…And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”18
1P.R. See Hebrew 11:143
2Luke 12:28
3Matt. 17:20
4Mark 9:24
5Rev. 2:10
6Hebrews 13:5
7Phil. 4:13
8See Mal. 4:2
9Mark 4:39
10P.R.
11Mark 15:34
12See Matt. 28:20
13John 6:20
14Matt. 9:29
15Matt. 21:22
16Mal. 3:10
17P.R. See John 14:16; 16:13
18Hebrews 11:32-33, 39-40; 12:1, 2
Lesson V
VIRTUE AND UNDERSTANDING
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8
Affirmation
Let virtue and understanding be in me, for my defense is in Thee, O Lord, my Redeemer; for Thou hearest the prayer of the upright in heart.
262-17
V
VIRTUE AND UNDERSTANDING
[Based on Edgar Cayce readings 262-18 through 262-20]
Introduction
In defining virtue and understanding, we must remember that these words are used here in their fuller meaning as expressions or activities of the soul or spirit forces, not as mental or emotional concepts. To establish a common ground, let us say that to be true to that which is pure in our purposes is virtue. Virtue is full cooperation that prepares the way for enlightening and uplifting humanity. Virtue is keeping ourselves in tune with Creative Force, enabling us to know ourselves as we are known by others. Virtue is holding steadfastly to the Ideal that is set in Him, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Virtue is pureness of heart, pureness of soul, and pureness of mind that come through His Spirit bearing witness with our spirit. Virtue is the seasoning of faith, the essence of hope, and the crowning element of truth—an attribute of God.
True understanding is beyond the reason of the senses. It is the power to experience and interpret the laws that govern the expression of Creative Force, or God, in and through the physical, mental, and spiritual bodies of humanity. Where there is virtue there will be understanding, for one follows the other. Understanding is the reward of virtue. With virtue, therefore, comes understanding, for the two are as the tenon and the mortise; they fit one with the other. Knowledge is not always understanding. Daily, many experience miracles of which they have no understanding. Few that have mere knowledge get understanding. An understanding of the mysteries of life comes to those only who make a close approach to the Throne. We may know the course of the stars, the intricate formulae of mathematics, and the secrets of sciences, but we cannot understand God's laws until we have experienced that closeness with the Divine that makes us realize that we are part of His laws, rather than mere observers of them. It was no miracle to those who understood Stephen when he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.”1It was no miracle to the Master when He fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, for He understood the law of supply. It requires an understanding of God's law (love), when such a message is heard even today as, “Lo, I am present with you in this room—I have chosen you as ye have chosen me. Keep the way thou knowest, keep the path thou hast trod, for He is able to deliver
