In the autumn we enjoy the wide variety of changing colours in nature and assuring signs of God's goals being achieved in the harvest: "The rolling seasons as they move proclaim His constant care." We gladly join in services of thanksgiving for the blessings of harvest. There we see how the faithfulness of God, and our faithfulness, produce beautiful and useful results.
In the floral signs, the music and prayers at a harvest festival we have clear proof of faith at work. Naturally, we look deeper to the Divine and only source of such supreme splendour. So with enthusiasm we give thanks for creation, preservation and all the blessings of life. We give thanks for the proof of faith. . .God's provision of "seed-time and harvest" in harmony with our faithfulness. The need for harmony in faith between the giver and receiver is stressed by Jesus over and over again in accounts of His healings of those asking for His blessings in the laying on of hands. How often He says to them: "Thy faith has made thee whole." Some people who think they haven't the faith required to approach Jesus for help, doubting themselves, may forget that a strand of doubt in the rope of faith may be acceptable to Jesus. He provides us with the gift of faith.
After the Resurrection St Thomas was troubled: "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hands into his side, I will not believe." Soon after that Jesus appeared to Thomas and told him to stop doubting and believe. Thomas was overwhelmed when he realised that even with his doubts Jesus accepted him. He simply said to Jesus: "My Lord and my God." Then Jesus told him: "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
When we accept that Jesus is the author and giver of faith, like the gift of a muscle we must nourish and exercise it. The proof of faith is seen in what it does. Archbishop William Temple's words of wisdom can come true in our life: "Faith begins in an experiment and ends in an experience." That glorious experience, receiving the gift of faith from Christ, presupposes our concern with Him for its life and growth through the nourishment of its goodness by the means of grace.
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided -
great is they faithfulness, Lord, unto me!