Only Believe

Daniel Paul Rader felt called to the ministry, desiring to serve the Lord. Born on this day in 1879, he became a pastor. However, in 1908, finding the attractions of the world to be too strong, he left the ministry to enter the business world. Three years later, his faith was renewed and he reentered full-time ministry.

After returning to ministry, his preaching seemed to have greater impact. People sensed this anointing after he became pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago. He later founded the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle, which he pastored for 11 years.

Besides his work as a pastor and evangelist, Rader also was a pioneer Christian broadcaster and an important songwriter. In 1921, he felt inspired to write a hymn describing what he had learned about faith.

To many people, living a victorious Christian life seemed complicated. But the essence of faith, he wrote, was simple: “Only believe; all things are possible, only believe.”

Recognizing that some people seemed afraid and were reluctant to exercise faith, he wrote, “Fear not, little flock, from the cross to the throne, from death into life He went for His own; all power in earth, all power above, is given to Him for the flock of His love.”

He encouraged us to remember that Jesus goes before us, selecting the path we tread. If doors may seem shut, we should remember that He always is with us. We can “count on His presence in darkness and dawn.”

What problems do you face? Are you afraid? Burdened? Are you worried, or are you confident in God?

Remember that all things are possible with Him. Put your faith into action today. Only believe!