Abraham proved his faith first of all when he promptly obeyed God's call and left his own home and country to go out he knew not whither, simply following where God might lead. He proved his faith again when he was bidden to offer his only son as a burnt sacrifice, an offering to the Lord, and without question or remonstrance obeyed. It was after this that God said, "Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing that hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from Me." There is no need of words or protestations of faith where there are such acts of faith to attest it.

God can see faith. He can see it in the heart where it is exercised, even before there has been any expression of it in word or act; but here the emphasis lies on the fact that He sees it in act. He is pleased when we show our faith by our works. There are many prayers without words, and God sees them when He does not hear them. There is in the Bible at least one instance of God forbidding spoken prayer and commanding action instead. At the edge of the Red Sea He said to Moses, "Wherefore criest than unto Me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward." So we should learn to put our faith into instant act. There are times when we should stop praying, get up from our knees, and hasten out to duty. Praying for a friend in trouble is well, but it is a cheap and selfish and easy way of showing our love if he has needs that we can supply. Praying for missions is right, but it is no acceptable substitute for giving if we are holding the Lord's money in our hands. God wants to see our faith.