The Prayer of Faith Leads Us Aright

It is the prayer of faith, therefore, involving, of course, an act of an entire consecration to God, which possesses the wonderful prerogative of leading us into the right, without knowledge, and even against knowledge. And hence it is, on the principles which have been laid down, that God, who always requires us to do what is right, so often shuts up the avenues of knowledge in particular cases of conduct, that we may do right by faith without knowledge. Faith is God’s light in the soul; and he may be said, in a multitude of cases, to extinguish the light of knowledge, that he may kindle up the light of faith.

We are aware, that it may appear extraordinary to some persons, to speak of doing right by faith without knowledge. But delay a moment, and notice the precise import of these expressions, which obviously convey a great truth. What, then, is their true meaning? It is precisely this. In those cases, where we are destitute of positive knowledge, we must form the best judgment we are able, looking to God with sincerity and singleness of purpose and in full faith also, that he will guide us aright. And the judgment which is formed under such circumstances, although it rests upon faith, and never in itself ascends above probability, yet becomes practically, and in the moral sense, KNOWLEDGE. That is to say, it answers the purpose of knowledge; and without being knowledge really, it is knowledge virtually.

And we may now go further, and say, that in acting in accordance with the results which we thus obtain, we always and necessarily accomplish the will of God. We know his will, while in a certain sense we may be said to be ignorant of it; because it is his will, that we should live and act by faith without knowledge. “I adore all thy purposes,” says Fenelon, “without knowing them.” This is the great work of holiness, to do the will of God, while we know it, and can know it, only in part. Living by faith without knowledge, is living in the truest divine light. What did Noah know, when he entered into the ark; when he sailed on the tops of mountains, with nothing around him but clouds and storms? He knew nothing, but he believed. What did Abraham know when he conducted his son Isaac to Mount Moriah to be sacrificed? Like Noah, he knew nothing of what was before him, but he had faith in God. In acting by faith, which took him from the control of self and placed him under the control of God, he necessarily accomplished the will of God, and it was “accounted to him for righteousness.” When we are led in the way of faith, we are led by God himself; and it is impossible for God, by means of spiritual operations, to lead his people in a way, which is contrary to his own will. And being in his will, though it be a blind way to human sight, we are not profitless. “The blinded beast,” says Molinos, “that turns the wheel of the mill, though it seeth not, neither knows what it does, yet it does a great work in grinding the corn.”

These principles afford great consolation. Oh, the blessed simplicity of holy living; not more wonderful in its results, than in the simple nature of its methods! God always accomplishes the greatest results by methods, which men despise for their simplicity. Go on, therefore, beloved in the Savior, in this safe and living way of faith. Your way may be dark to human vision; but faith will make it light in the Lord. The uncertainties of God, when enlightened by faith, are far better than the knowledge, which the world can give without faith. Thou art blindfolded as to outward vision, but still there is an eye that sees for thee. Follow the safe way of the true light! Other lights, on the right hand and left, may arise to dazzle and bewilder. It is the light of Faith only, which God kindles, and which leads to the blessed source, from which it came.

— from: The Life of Faith, Part 2, Chapter 11.