There is power in simplicity. Often things are complicated by unnecessary focus on peripheral, secondary issues, while the main thing is lost. Getting back to basics is essential.
"Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness." (Genesis 15:6)
Abraham was surrounded by complex problems and circumstances. He was literally called to an obscure journey to an undisclosed location; promised an inhabited land as an inheritance; and declared to be the father of innumerable descendants as a childless, elderly man. The challenges were enough to keep anyone awake at night! But, amidst seemingly insurmountable odds, "he believed in the LORD; and He (Yahweh) reckoned it to him as righteousness." Abraham simply chose to take the LORD God at His word, and God chose to "credit his spiritual bank account" with righteousness. Simple faith overcame all obstacles.
There is power in the simplicity of faith. The easiest thing to do, amidst obstacles and challenges, is to rely on our own power of reasoning. Sit down, figure it out, and then act. Abraham - as we learn in the Genesis account - tried that, and fathered a son whose legacy today is the ongoing Middle East conflict. Better that he had fully comprehended the truth of Proverbs 3:5,6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."
The lesson and legacy of Abraham is that simple faith in the LORD God is always the solution. But, this faith is not what is so commonly called, "blind faith". It's a look-before-you-leap faith that carefully evaluates circumstances and "counts the cost". It's an eyes-wide-open faith that realistically sees, and knows what is needed from our Creator.
I would be willing to bet that you and I today face circumstances that challenge faith. We are well aware of what God desires and has promised, but the pathway there seems obscured by insurmountable obstacles. The faith challenge to "let go, and let God" seems incredibly difficult. But, simple faith is what moves the mountain, and propels us to the promise.
Paying the bills. Sharing faith and truth. Managing marriage and family conflict. Serving the kingdom. Faith is the factor in each of these. Take God at His word, with child-like faith and simplicity, and anticipate what He will do in and through you. May faith be our focus and victorious factor as we live for Him today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness." (Genesis 15:6)
Abraham was surrounded by complex problems and circumstances. He was literally called to an obscure journey to an undisclosed location; promised an inhabited land as an inheritance; and declared to be the father of innumerable descendants as a childless, elderly man. The challenges were enough to keep anyone awake at night! But, amidst seemingly insurmountable odds, "he believed in the LORD; and He (Yahweh) reckoned it to him as righteousness." Abraham simply chose to take the LORD God at His word, and God chose to "credit his spiritual bank account" with righteousness. Simple faith overcame all obstacles.
There is power in the simplicity of faith. The easiest thing to do, amidst obstacles and challenges, is to rely on our own power of reasoning. Sit down, figure it out, and then act. Abraham - as we learn in the Genesis account - tried that, and fathered a son whose legacy today is the ongoing Middle East conflict. Better that he had fully comprehended the truth of Proverbs 3:5,6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."
The lesson and legacy of Abraham is that simple faith in the LORD God is always the solution. But, this faith is not what is so commonly called, "blind faith". It's a look-before-you-leap faith that carefully evaluates circumstances and "counts the cost". It's an eyes-wide-open faith that realistically sees, and knows what is needed from our Creator.
I would be willing to bet that you and I today face circumstances that challenge faith. We are well aware of what God desires and has promised, but the pathway there seems obscured by insurmountable obstacles. The faith challenge to "let go, and let God" seems incredibly difficult. But, simple faith is what moves the mountain, and propels us to the promise.
Paying the bills. Sharing faith and truth. Managing marriage and family conflict. Serving the kingdom. Faith is the factor in each of these. Take God at His word, with child-like faith and simplicity, and anticipate what He will do in and through you. May faith be our focus and victorious factor as we live for Him today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 8:13 AM
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