The hearing of faith brings peace, that peace of God which passes all understanding, and did you receive that peace while trusting in your own works? When faith came, peace grew out of it as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Faith does the most effectual thing for the soul when it takes what God gives. Thus faith comes, and by that celestial lamp many have seen their way to peace. Oh, that faith may increase for you as you plead for your son!
Jesus answering said, "Have faith in God." Was not that sentence the mother of their prayer, "Increase our faith"? You have some faith already, or you would not ask at all, indeed, it is with faith that we ask for faith. He who pleads, "Add to my faith," acknowledges that he has some to which more is to be added. And though you may not work miracles like Samson or quench the violence of fire, yet the same faith is given to you, and you may pray, "Lord, increase our faith," for your son's restoration.
You will keep him in perfect peace, peace, peace, whose mind is stayed on You: because he trusts in You. The blood of Jesus whispers peace within, a present possession even in this dark world of sin. By thronging duties pressed, to do the will of Jesus, this is rest. With loved ones far away, in Jesus' keeping we are safe, and they. And even death shadowing us? Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers. This peace you crave for your son, perfect peace, can be his as his mind is stayed upon Christ, trusting fully in Him.
It is a blessed thing, this little faith, not its littleness, but its faith! If I could kill the weakness and quicken the faith, how glad should I be! Little faith shall be tenderly commended, it is true faith, the gift of God, like precious faith though not like strong faith. If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you can do wonders. The least faith in Jesus is real faith, obeying the precept. He looks at her faith as jewelers do at some famous stone worth more than they can tell, "O woman, great is your faith." So your faith, though it trembles, is precious in His sight.
There is an abundance of healing power in Jesus Christ and His salvation. Not only is His fruit sweet and nourishing, but the leaves, the little things about Christ, are full of healing virtue. Pluck a leaf of this Tree by your poor trembling faith, and if you dare not take more than that, yet shall it make him whole! These healing leaves change the life blood, affect the spirits, and make the nature other than it was before. The least thing about Christ is healing, pray that your son may touch but the hem of His garment.
Apply the text in general: If you will come to God by prayer, with faith in Jesus Christ, God will receive you and you shall be as though you had never fallen through your sin. What a wonderful faith this is! "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." But when guilt lies heavy and the hand of God seems to break you into pieces, it is grand faith to then say, "Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow." May God give your son that blessed faith, for the Lord will restore him completely, body, mind, and spirit, as though he had never been broken.
Healing and forgiveness are placed in happy conjunction. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is that touch of personal faith which brings peace to the soul. When Jesus healed the sick of the palsy, He said, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you." Pardon and healing were one! The Sun of Righteousness rises with healing in His wings, and as you ask for your son's forgiveness and cleansing, healing will come from the pardoning hand. O you who pray, ask and believe, God bless you.
Peter's restoration came by a look from Christ, a look that severed him from the crowd and brought bitter, salutary, saving repentance. Till Peter received from the Lord's own mouth abundant assurance, we do not find him in the forefront. So your son, even if he lingers, may receive a look from Christ which breaks his heart and restores him. That look is altogether between the Lord and him; pray that Christ's gaze may fall upon him now, working repentance and renewal.
What is faith? It is the dropping down into the man’s arms, the real pith and essence of it. By faith the Red Sea was dried up, by faith the walls fell. Have you that faith? That is the one all-important question. Above all, take the shield of faith, bearing the blood-red emblem of the Cross. There is no respect in which faith is not useful to us, it quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked. Whatever you leave out, see to your faith. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Lift the shield for your son, and trust that Christ will grant complete recovery, patience, faith, peace, and full restoration, in Jesus' name.