WALKING IN FAITH (A Message to Those Who Have Ears) It has often been preached that Abraham is the father of faith because of his willingness to give God his only son. That was a great act of faith and a foreshadow of things to come but it is only part of the story. One beautiful attribute of God is that he prepares us for the challenges we face. If we look at our lives, each of us has a testimony of His power. Many of us can think about times were God had moved to change circumstance and answer prayer. So when present events arise no matter what the outlook is we know we can trust God because He will never let us down. Lets take a look at Abraham and what God did for him that produced such great faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Heb 11:8 The first act of faith we are told about was Abraham leaving his home country and family to go into a foreign land. Abraham believed what God told him and by faith headed out not knowing where he would end up or what would occur along the way. If God had given him a map with an itinerary it would not have been an act of faith but Abraham trusted God and the promises He made him. Along the way God delivered Abraham and Sarah from Pharaoh in Egypt and he received more wealth from his time there. God revealed a testimony of His power to Abraham by doing this. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Heb 11:9-10 The second act of faith that are told about is the patience and reliance Abraham had for God. He was not protected by a walled city or an army but the Lord was his shield. That type of faith was consistent everyday because there was no telling when an enemy would strike. But Abraham fully trusted in God for his daily needs and he prospered during this time. Again God was revealing a testimony of His faithfulness to him. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. Heb 11:17-19 The third act of faith we learn about here is the one that is the most famous. I think some think out of no where God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. But God was faithful to prepare Abraham for this moment. Not only did Abraham have great faith to believe Gods promise that he and his wife would conceive a child well off in old age but Abraham knew that God was faithful and all His promises were true. Abraham didnt become faithful through one act of obedience. He walked in faith and through his obedience God revealed His power to Him. So much that Abraham knew if Isaac would be the heir to many nations, God would even raise him from the dead because God never lies. This is a beautiful situation here. Abraham was willing to give God everything because he understood that everything he had came from God. Abraham gave credit and respect through humility to the One that was always working on his behalf. Abraham was a man of God because He was faithful in his relationship with God trusting in Him and becoming faithful just like God is toward us. That is the type of faith that pleases God when we trust Him and become faithful like He is toward us. Its a faithful relationship between a Father and a child. In this case the Father is perfect and as His children we have been called to be just like our Dad. Just like God was faithful to Abraham He is faithful to all of us. Consider all that He has done for you the next time tough circumstances present themselves. God prepared you for them just like He prepared Abraham. We can rest in our trust towards Him like Abraham rested in a tent with no fear because God is our fortress and strong tower. Let us as a people be faithful as well because God is worthy of our time and dedication. Seek to be like Him, its what you are here for and like any good Father He wants the best for His children! But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Heb 11:6 Side note: Many people have criticized both God and Abraham over the request to sacrifice Isaac. That was a foreshadow of the greatest act of love when God gave His only Son for all of us. Its one of the most intimate moments in the entire Bible between God and one of His children. But sadly the world does not understand these things but as believers we rejoice in such a great walk of faith. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor 1:18
Posted on: Sun, 22 Jun 2014 12:32:54 +0000
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