Some things just seem too good to be true. For example, the lure of the lottery. Phenomenal wealth can be yours if your have the winning ticket. What gets far less press are the chances of winning - it's more likely you'll be struck by lightning, or the earth will be hit be a meteorite, than that you'll win big.
Here's a promise that seems too good to be true: "And He took him outside and said, 'Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.' " (Genesis 15:5)
It must have been a touching scene. I picture the LORD God taking Abraham outside, like a father taking his young son, with an arm around his shoulders. Together gazing up at the night sky, God points up at the stars, and challenges Abraham to try and count them. Driving home the point, God emphatically states that Abraham's descendants will be equally vast. A phenomenal promise, except for one little detail: this old man was childless. But, instead of ridicule and unbelief, Abraham's response is almost unbelievable to us:
"Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness." (Genesis 15:6)
A far easier response would have been skepticism and cynicism at the absurdity of the details. Post-menopausal women don't bear children; especially women in their nineties. But, the quality that distinguishes Abraham even to this day was his simple, uncomplicated response: he chose to believe that God meant what He said, and was able to do what He promised.
The benchmark of faith, set by Abraham, is that nothing is outside the realm of faith. Abraham's example beckons us to consider: "If God could do that for Abraham and Sarah, then He could certainly do ...(fill in the blank with your seemingly impossible situation).
Seemingly impossible circumstances are often cleverly disguised opportunities for childlike faith. As with Abraham, God often would have us assess His promises as well as the obstacles, and then face them down with the simple, innocent faith of a child who trusts implicitly in his/her Father.
Here's an adventure in faith today: dig in to your Bible to discover specific promises God has made to His children (this can take some time!). One by one, determine to claim each one through simple faith. And then let the God Who alone can work out the seemingly impossible details do just that. Walk in the confidence of this faith He so highly values.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Here's a promise that seems too good to be true: "And He took him outside and said, 'Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.' " (Genesis 15:5)
It must have been a touching scene. I picture the LORD God taking Abraham outside, like a father taking his young son, with an arm around his shoulders. Together gazing up at the night sky, God points up at the stars, and challenges Abraham to try and count them. Driving home the point, God emphatically states that Abraham's descendants will be equally vast. A phenomenal promise, except for one little detail: this old man was childless. But, instead of ridicule and unbelief, Abraham's response is almost unbelievable to us:
"Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness." (Genesis 15:6)
A far easier response would have been skepticism and cynicism at the absurdity of the details. Post-menopausal women don't bear children; especially women in their nineties. But, the quality that distinguishes Abraham even to this day was his simple, uncomplicated response: he chose to believe that God meant what He said, and was able to do what He promised.
The benchmark of faith, set by Abraham, is that nothing is outside the realm of faith. Abraham's example beckons us to consider: "If God could do that for Abraham and Sarah, then He could certainly do ...(fill in the blank with your seemingly impossible situation).
Seemingly impossible circumstances are often cleverly disguised opportunities for childlike faith. As with Abraham, God often would have us assess His promises as well as the obstacles, and then face them down with the simple, innocent faith of a child who trusts implicitly in his/her Father.
Here's an adventure in faith today: dig in to your Bible to discover specific promises God has made to His children (this can take some time!). One by one, determine to claim each one through simple faith. And then let the God Who alone can work out the seemingly impossible details do just that. Walk in the confidence of this faith He so highly values.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
posted by steve @ 7:53 AM
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