Page 67 - The Divine Quest

Page 64

I Corinthians 15:41-42
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the
stars; for star differs from star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead.

In the introduction to this book I wrote that the things to be explored in its pages
represent a foundational truth that is deeper than the books that have preceded it.
The apostle Paul wrote:

I Corinthians 13:13
But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Faith is listed among the three great graces of God. I am using the word grace here
in keeping with the definition found in my 1930's Webster’s Dictionary.

Grace: any excellence, characteristic attraction, or endowment, natural or acquired.

The chief of these graces listed is love and, as we have seen, faith flows out of love for
the truest essence of faith is a knowledge of, and confidence in, the love of Yahweh
toward man. We have seen how a lack of faith has led to so many tragedies and ills
that man suffers from to this day. We have also seen that when faith is found in the
hearts of men and women that God is greatly glorified.

How precious then is this faith. The eyes of Yahweh have been searching to and fro
throughout the earth to find faith dwelling in the hearts of men and women. This
faith is like a great treasure that is highly esteemed in the eyes of the Creator. He is
ever seeking for it, and when He finds it resident in the heart of one of His children,
He sets about to purify and refine it. He seeks to make that which is precious to Him
shine forth with the highest luster, devoid of any clinging impurity.

This is why we read of the great men and women of faith as suffering many trials.
They were roughly treated, rejected, reproached, scorned and suffered numerous
indignities. They were outcasts, persecuted by brethren and disowned by family.
Many suffered hunger and cold and many terrors, and not a few of them were put to
death. These trials were not signs of God’s displeasure, but rather they were signs of
His highest favor as He sought to perfect their faith through suffering.

I Peter 1:6-7
[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you
may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, so that [the genuineness] of your
faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable
gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to