Trying Faith

I had cause recently to remember an old hymn written by John Newton, and no, it wasn't "Amazing Grace." He actually wrote one or two others.

I first came across "I asked the Lord that I might grow" when I was a much younger man. It was included in a book I was reading at the time (On to Maturity, by J Oswald Sanders). Some of you that attend St A's heard me share it this past Sunday, October 11, during my sermon.

I was enjoying the book so much that I began to take note of the things I was learning from it in a journal I was keeping at the time. One of the chapters spoke of the faith called for in trying situations (well, all situations, but especially the difficult ones). Here's a portion of my entry from Nov 23, 1994:

Entitled "The Satisfying Compensations of God," [this chapter] talks about faith, especially that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Their faith, seen in their words to King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3.16-18, can be divided into three categories:

1. Faith in the ability of God to deliver them.
2. Confidence in the willingness of God to deliver them.
3. Acceptance of the sovereignty of God, encapsulated in the three words, "But if not..."

This is what faith boils down to in every situation.

In addition to this, there are three implications of faith:

1. Faith is always confronted with a choice -- we can take the high road, or we can take the low road.
2. Faith always involves a risk -- if there is no risk involved, no faith is necessary.
3. Faith always encounters opposition -- there is no growth where there is no exercise of faith.

With this kind of content, it's no wonder Sanders refers to Newton's hymn. It is a stirring reminder of the need for faith in the midst of trying circumstances.

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favoured hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And bade the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Nay more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

“Lord, why is this,” I trembling cried,
“Wilt thou pursue this worm to death?”
“This is the way,” the Lord replied,
“I answer prayer for grace and faith.

“These inward trials I employ,
From self and sin to set thee free;
And cross thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou might’st find thy all in Me.”

Hmmm. Maybe we should try faith.