Do you see dramatic evidence of God at work in your life, or is your life rather quiet and routine? Catherine Booth, who with her husband William organized the Salvation Army, stressed the need for being content to walk by faith. In her final illness she talked to a friend about the difference between faith and sight.

"One of the hardest lessons I've had to learn," she said, "is to discern between faith and realization. . . . If I have had to conquer all through life by naked faith, bringing afterward perhaps very blessed realizations, I can only expect that it shall be the same now."

Catherine was prepared to pass through the valley of death's shadow sustained by "naked faith," without any reassuring sight of her Savior's face. She exemplified the confidence Paul spoke of in 2 Corinthians. "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (5:8). Catherine concluded, "All our enemies have to be conquered by faith, not by realization." Then she asked, "Is it not so with the last enemy—death?"

Today, some are seeking high-voltage experiences to buttress their faith. But as Catherine learned, blessed are those who believe without having seen (Jn. 20:29). Blessed are those for whom God's Word is sufficient.  — Vernon C. Grounds