THE PROOF OF MY BELIEF
“I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” Genesis 23:4
God makes some pretty outrageous promises. The life of faith is marked by unbelievable proclamations of favor. It’s easy for me to doubt most of what God says to me even though I say I believe Him.
God called Abraham away from his home, called him to embark on a life of travel to a promised piece of land that He would give Him. He left everything. Abraham proved his belief in God’s promise by waiting to make his first purchase of land in the territory of the Promised Land. He bought a place for Sarah’s burial and paid an exorbitant amount for it.
God will call me to take a huge step of faith some time during my lifetime. The call is ludicrous, insensible, and therefore frightening. Few will understand my decision to follow God’s voice and in the midst of my own faith struggle, I will suffer disapproval and rejection from those whose opinion matters to me. Unrest begins to erode my confidence and I think of taking shortcuts. Yes, I start out on my journey but along the way, I buy pieces of land and call them home. I do this ‘just in case’ God doesn’t come through.
Any backup plan I’ve made infers that I can’t really trust God’s promises. I may as well say to Him, “Ok, I admit it. I’m taking care of myself because I don’t really believe You’ll come through for me!” As a Father who has given me everything, does this not wound our relationship? Imagine if you said this to a friend, a husband or wife, or to anyone who has loved you well.
So, what would it mean if I said to God, “I really do believe You ~ and to prove it, I’ll do _____________(this).”
What if You asked me for proof of my belief? Is that not what an act of faith is? Show me how to invest in the Promised Land. Amen
Journal Question: Have an honest conversation with God about the status of your faith in Him. He already knows but only when you speak it, will there be the chance for Him to speak into your heart.
For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org
Originally published Wednesday, 14 September 2016.
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