"Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6 NIV).
Beautiful One, do you know what time it is?
As we turn back the pages of time, we see that each generation had its own set of challenges. The world as we know it is no different; we are in turmoil set in motion by the challenges of our own day.
Peace eludes the Middle East; many countries are drowning in sickness and starvation. Women and children are brutally sold into slavery all over the world. And, whether we realize it or not, genocide still occurs in some nations.
Right here in our own backyard, recession abounds. Discouragement has replaced feelings of security in many middle-class families while people pound the pavement looking for employment. Those who are barely hanging on are starting to feel their strength crumble. Even those on governement assistance are struggling under the weight of our weak economy.
Relationships are suffering and families are falling apart. In times such as these, it's easy to forget to do one simple thing: just believe! All of today's the trials are enough to make anyone grow weary and give up. But have we forgotten what is impossible for man, shall be possible for God?
"Have we forgotten that all things are possible for those who believe?" (Mark 9:23).
Worrying is easy to do. We worry about how we are going to make ends meet, if we will have health care, or raising children in this crazy world. But the good news is we are not victims of circumstance. No, we have much more value than a bunch of statistics. We are children of the most high God. If the earth belongs to our Father, and we are his children, then what do we have to worry about?
Is God only the Provider and Healer when life is comfortable? Is he waiting for everything to fall apart just so he can abandon us? No!
Beautiful One, it is time to believe. Forget about all of your troubles and remember "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). It's simple. Regardless of what the world says, never forget that faith pleases God and helps us through difficult times.
My youngest son likes to do his laundry right before he goes to bed. He usually goes to bed before putting the clothes in the dryer, and I assure him that I will do it when I get up the next morning. But for some reason he reminds me at least three times a night. I have never forgotten, and yet he thinks he will wake up to wet clothes.
This hurts me. As his mother, I want dry clothes for him more than he does. It bothers me that he thinks I will forget to meet his need. Beautiful One, we sometimes treat God this way. We know he is capable, yet our unbelief peeks through.
Abram went through the same thing. God promised him a son, but Abrams got tired of waiting and got himself into trouble when he listened to his impatient wife. Abram believed God, but tried to help God along. God's promise came to pass in Abrams life despite his foolish choice of having a son with Hagar, Sarah's servant girl. Believe it or not, overall God was pleased with Abram's faith and said he (Abram) was righteous because of it. God may not like all the choices we make, especially if those choices show a lack of trust in him, but God is also eager to forgive.
Faith in God should always trump our actions. A genuine, and unwavering faith causes our actions to align with our heart. And that is what God desires above all else: our hearts.
It is time to believe again. Believe that something better is coming. Believe that what you see right now is temporary. We need to believe because God says to do this! If we believe in God, we can know he has it all under control.
Believe in the invisible, because if you can see the invisible, you will surely do the impossible.
May God receive all the glory that is due him.
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