Simple Faith of a Christian

Pioneers who settled in America’s heartland in the nineteenth century had a rare opportunity to start over, to build new lives. But they also faced massive challenges. Droughts and violent storms. Temperatures ranging from extreme cold to blistering heat. They were isolated, far from neighbors and their homeland. Yet many did not just endure but were successful.

In her book about these pioneers, Joanna Stratton described how, for many, the key was their “strong religious beliefs” and “simple, but unswerving faith.” They looked to God, and trusted Him “for the strength and guidance to carry them through difficult times.”

Stratton drew on the extensive research done by Lilla Day Monroe, who collected many firsthand accounts. When asked how these pioneers “preserved their cheerfulness,” Monroe said that there was “one source.” This was their “simple faith in God.”

These men and women were not theologians or scholars. But they knew God and believed His Word. They trusted Him and held fast to His promises. This faith gave them “sublime courage” to face obstacles, and an “indomitable determination to conquer and to surmount all difficulties.”

Jesus encouraged His followers to have this kind of faith. This was a characteristic of a poor widow who put “two small copper coins” into the offering box, making this commitment because she totally trusted in God. This was the faith of a tax collector who “would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (Luke 18:13).

In our complex world, it can be easy to make everything complicated. How wonderful to be like those pioneers. Believing God. Confident in Him. Standing on His Word. Living by faith.