Sunday, May 29, 2005

The Furnace of Faith

Romans4:"20 Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised. 22 And because of Abraham's faith, God declared him to be righteous.
23 Now this wonderful truth – that God declared him to be righteous – wasn't just for Abraham's benefit. 24 It was for us, too, assuring us that God will also declare us to be righteous if we believe in God, who brought Jesus our Lord back from the dead. 25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God."

I keep coming back to this wonderful section. God is glorified when we are secure in HIm. He will do what He says. The bleaker the circumstance, the less likely it is to be true, the more that faith is formed, the more that God is glorified.

Contrast this to King Saul when he couldn't wait on Samuel.
I Sam. 13 "11 but Samuel said, "What is this you have done?"Saul replied, "I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn't arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. 12 So I said, 'The Philistines are ready to march against us, and I haven't even asked for the LORD's help!' So I felt obliged to offer the burnt offering myself before you came." 13 "How foolish!" Samuel exclaimed. "You have disobeyed the command of the LORD your God. Had you obeyed, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your dynasty must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. The LORD has already chosen him to be king over his people, for you have not obeyed the LORD's command."

Father, please help the circumstances of doubt and darkness forge a faith that pleases You! I do not want to be like Saul, always jumping to my flesh of control because of fear-I want to be an Abraham, trusting in You when it seems all is lost! You show Yourself to be the great Victor in those moments! It is more glorious to win when the war seems bleakest! My God and My KING!

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