Although I am saved by grace, sometimes I still scramble
around and try to work my way through life instead of living daily by faith. At times, I act as though I am my own
provider. At times, I act like my works are somehow my own. At times, I make
idols of transient things, acting as though are more important than God. I have
come to the realization that I gravitate towards trying to control the
providences in my life. Part of claiming my identity in Christ, is a perpetual
prayer of “thy will be done.” He has
given us the freedom to have complete faith in him. He has given us the freedom to love,
obey, worship and enjoy him. It is his will that we do so.
I was drawn to Hebrews 11 recently, as I sought to let go of
my will on some things and trust completely in the Lord. I wondered at Hebrews 11. How did those saints
have such great faith? Then it hit me. Hebrews 11 glorifies God’s work in his people and showcases his
grace. God is pleased to bring forth much fruit on the branches he has grafted
into his son. He is just as much at work in our lives today as he was in
Abraham, Noah, and all the others listed. He still brings forth fruit in us,
some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, some a hundredfold (Matthew 13:8.) We must remember
that faith is a gift from Jesus and he will complete the good work he began in
us (Ephesians 2:8, Philippians 1:6.) I am now reading through Genesis and am
seeing how Abraham’s faith grew.
Abraham was a man of great faith. He followed the Lord’s
command to leave his home, not knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8-9.) Abraham was a righteous man, he did not trust in his own works; he trusted in the Lord. His faith was a gift from God. In Genesis 24:1, we see that "the Lord blessed Abraham in all things." This ties in with Romans 8:32, "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" The
Lord commends Abraham’s faith in Hebrews 11. However, the Holy Spirit also
shows us that at times, Abraham acted in doubt or fear, rather than acting in
faith. Abraham struggled with sin, as all believers do. He lied about Sarah twice, stating she was his
sister rather than his wife when they journeyed though Egypt and Gerar (Genesis
12 and 20.) Sarah was beautiful. Abraham feared that if he identified Sarah as
his wife he would be killed so that men in those places could pursue his wife.
He feared men rather than being honest and petitioning the Lord for protection.
The Lord told Abraham a few times that he would bear a great
nation (Gen. 12:2,13:16, and 15:4-5.) Although Abraham believed the LORD (Gen. 15:6,) he tried to take matters into his own hands when he conceived a
child with Hagar rather than waiting on the Lord for Sarah to conceive (Gen.16.) He then laughed when God told him he would have a child with Sarah in old age (Gen.17:17.) Later in his life, in a great
act of faith, Abraham was willing to offer his covenant son, Isaac, as a
sacrifice at the Lord’s command. (Gen.
22.) He trusted God’s promise of making a great nation through him and trusted that
God could raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:18-19.)
Faith isn’t just a one-time transaction of trusting in God
for salvation and then somehow doing the rest on our own. He leads us day by
day and step by step. "For we walk by faith and not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7.) Faith is gifted to us by
the LORD. Faith is nurtured in us and
grown in us by the workings of God’s Spirit. Faith causes us to trust in him
alone for salvation. However, at times we may struggle
with putting all our hope in him. I often find I need to pray like the man in
Mark 9:24- “I believe, help my unbelief.” In Pilgrims progress, John Bunyan does an
excellent job of illustrating that even a little faith prizes its jewels (the
unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ) and by God’s grace will never let go of
them. Visit the following link to read Bunyan's account of Little Faith: http://www.covenantofgrace.com. Faith quenches our doubts and idolatries. By faith we know
there is no hope outside of him. We know that our identity is hidden in our
Savior. We are his and he is ours.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast
love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Psalm
138:8
My faith's a tender flower
Sown and Nurtured
By the Lord
Fertilized with grace
When weeds entangle
And thorns ensnare
He prunes them off
With tender care-
The flower never harming
When I see a weed
And wonder if I’m that
He smiles and says
Fear not
Mine thou art
I’m never left to scorch
And wilt out in the sun
A fount of living Water
Flows continually
His shield’s a cool reprieve
The flower grows
Most beautifully
No winds may
Blow me over,
A flower held fast
No foot may trample
My delicate frame, the work
Of my Gardener’s hand
Should beast attempt
To eat me
My Gardener’s wrath he’ll face
No folly or foe
Can harm me,
A flower tended by
The most Holy One
But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
