1 Timothy 6:11 b + 12 says, “…Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.”
In the Old Testament we notice that Abraham’s faith pleased God. Abraham is our father of faith. Gen 15:6 tells us that Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. Paul later wrote that “He [Abraham] did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what God had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:18-21).
Faith is a deep conviction that God’s words are true, and that God will perform all that He promises. Abraham simply believed that God would do what He said. Nothing is too hard for God. Nothing is impossible for God. That is an example for all of us today, that our faith should be strong in God and satisfy Him.
Even when God commanded Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, Abraham did not hesitate, but willingly obeyed God. Heb. 11:17 – 19 tells us that Abraham believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that God would keep His promise – even if that meant He had to raise Isaac back up from the dead.
God did keep His promise. At the last second, Father God stopped Abraham from carrying out his sacrifice, and Isaac was spared, going on to become the father of the nation of Israel. Maybe we could be tempted to thoughts of doubt when we take a step of faith which God is trying to get us to do. Maybe we are not sure how the future will work out if we follow God’s commands to us, to do something, but FAITH GIVES US POWER TO ACT, even though we cannot see what the result will be. (Hebrews 11:1) When we have the shield of faith, we can resist the thoughts of doubt that Satan tries to sow.
Precious Jesus, please help me to have faith like Abraham had, a faith that is willing to obey even if my circumstances might be harsh or challenging. Help me, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to act by faith, according to YOUR desires and purposes for me, and not to flinch if Your requirements work out differently from my own wants for my life. Help my faith to be in line with Your will for me. Please help my faith to please and satisfy You because I love You and desire to do Your will. Amen
Myrtle Turunen