Without these cables and hoses the trailer of this lorry will not work properly. The trailer has lights
which need to be linked to the lorry, the brakes require air from the lorry to operate them and of course the trailer needs to be coupled to the lorry unit so it can move – it has no power of its own.
All the electricity and compressed air comes from the lorry unit to the trailer through these hoses and cables. The cables and hoses are but the link between the two, the means by which these things flow.
What did the Lord Jesus mean when He said to women with the issue of blood ‘Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.’ Mark ch5 v34 Did He put the power of her healing in her faith?
For the benefit of her, and the many who were witness to the events Jesus openly commends her faith, and directs the attention of those around her to faith. By this He simply illustrated the vital need of faith. But faith must have an object and not be the object itself. Saving faith under the Divine influence of God designs a path, ventures, reaches out and lays hold of the One from whom all blessings flow. ‘... the just shall live by his faith’ Habukkuk ch2 v4 They live by it – not on it! The ‘just’ - rest, rely and live on the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. Faith is not to be worshipped but the object of faith is to be worshipped.
The hoses that connect this trailer are the vital link between the trailer and the lorry unit, the trailer receives nothing from the lorry without them no matter how close the two come together. The same applies to faith. It is the link between. If we have been blessed with saving faith, then we receive from the Lord Jesus all things He is pleased to give us. Forgiveness of sins, hope, peace, joy are received by faith in Jesus Christ. Without God given faith we may come very near to the things of God yet not receive anything saving for our souls.
The Lord Jesus having been asleep in the ship during the storm was woken by His disciples who said ‘Master, master, we perish.’ Luke ch8 v24. Jesus stilled the storm and then asks His disciples ‘Where is your faith?’ v25. It’s a good question for us. ‘Where is your faith?’ Do we have faith? If we do – where is it placed? What is the object of our faith? If we have faith in Jesus Christ why then are we so fearful, so unbelieving? How well do we know Him? The lorry unit can’t pull the trailer using just the cable and hoses – it must be coupled to it. Pray for living faith, for an increase of faith and pray for that felt union with Jesus Christ, that He will take hold of us, draw us, direct us, go before us and that as we move along we may know more of the love of God flowing into our hearts and our love to God flowing in return. ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ Philippians ch4 v12