Set Your Sails

“By faith…when he was tested, offered up…He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead…” Hebrews 11:17-18

Hudson Taylor, the famous missionary, understood that God acts in response to our faith. On his first voyage to China, his ship neared cannibal-inhabited islands as it helplessly drifted on a windless sea. The savages eagerly anticipated feasting on the hapless occupants. The captain came to young Taylor and pleaded with him to pray for God’s help. “I will,” Taylor said, “provided you set your sails to catch the breeze.” The captain declined making himself the butt of ridicule by unfurling the sails in a calm sea. Taylor responded, “I will not undertake to pray for the vessel unless you will prepare the sails.” The captain complied. Immediately, Taylor retired to his cabin and began to implore God’s help. While he was still praying, the captain knocked on the door and asked, “Are you still praying for wind?” “Yes.” “Well,” the captain said, “you’d better stop praying, for we have more wind than we can manage.” Hudson Taylor knew that God worked only through faith and had rewarded him. By Faith, p 20.

Hebrews 11 is a chapter in the Bible dedicated solely to honor some of the past heroes of faith. It is a ‘Who’s Who’ in the arena of demonstrated faith through action – not words. Although 16 names of great saints are listed, there has been a multitude of amazing ‘faith-bearers’ throughout time. The importance of faith is essential in our relationship with God. Hebrews 11:6 tells us in no uncertain terms that a life without faith is an ineffective life in God’s economy. ‘Without faith it is impossible to please God.’ This brings me to an important question. Why pray if we are not going to prepare our sails to receive the wind?

What if God chooses to answer our prayer by sending something that requires our action up front? We will not be postured to receive that answer. We must believe by faith that the prayers for which we lift are being heard and He will respond according to the condition of our faith coupled with His will.

No matter how great the request, set your sails, bend your knees and believe so they may say of you‘…she/he considered God to be able…’ Hebrews 11:18.