When you stand on faith, what are you believing?

              In the Genesis account of Abraham and his offering of Isaac at the request of God, repeatedly we read Abraham believed God. We repeatedly see that Abraham believed God even when circumstances said otherwise. We also see Abraham and Sarah believe God needed their help with an offspring and Ishmael is born. Whenever we believe we can help God we are in for a big mistake! Abraham believed God. What does that mean? His faith was counted as righteousness.

Abraham believed the promises of God period. What are the promises of God? How many are there? Well, that depends on what you consider a promise. So, the number is constantly moving depending on a subjective opinion. Biblegateway.com lists 5467 promises of God. “The promises of God reveal his particular and eternal purposes to which he is unchangeably committed and upon which believers can totally depend. The promises are, however, conditional upon obedience on the part of believers.”  What we see in Abraham was his obedience. Belief is only real when we take actions that are dependent upon our belief being true even though it may not yet be in existence. We call that faith. The key here is the obedience on the part of the believer. Oh man!

 So if I take a stand on faith, I have to stand up. I have to do something, take action on my belief most of the time when there is no visible reason to do so. I have to believe this promise I am claiming is true even though I have no proof in front of me. Yep, that is about it! So, what did Abraham believe?

Abraham believed Isaac was God’s promise. Hebrews tells us Abraham believed God would bring him back to life. God had brought Abraham and Sara back to life to have a son at 100 and 90. Abraham believed God would do the same for Isaac. But still it does not make sense. Why would God…we ask...and then spend a great amount of time wondering instead of doing thereby delaying the fulfillment of the promise.

Let me ask of the 5467 promises, what do you stand on? What do you count on even when there is no visible or reasonable (in this reality) evidence to believe? In this season of politics, have you asked God about your vote? Would you believe God is in control if He instructed you to vote different than your thoughts? Would God do such a thing? Let’s ask Abraham or Hosea or Paul, Jonah, Gideon, Elijah, Rahab, David, Jeremiah or Lazarus? How do you think they would answer? That would become a question of faith in God and his promises. Where would you stand?

                      

In HIS Service and Yours,

BroG