Romans Chapter 4: Verse 3 (NIV)
What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
God made Abraham a promise that He would bless his descendants, and bring him into a land of promise. Paul reminds the Roman church that Abraham believed God. He trusted what God said, and accepted that he could not achieve these things in his own strength. God did what He promised and that’s why Abraham was seen as righteous.
Abraham had to trust what God said and act on what God asked. His belief had to go beyond listening, it had to extend to acting on God’s word. Sometimes we have to prove that we do believe what God says by doing what He says – that’s when we exercise our faith.
I watch a craft channel on tv and sometimes when they are selling craft materials, they say at the beginning of the programme that the price will be reduced by the end of the programme, but they don’t tell you by how much, and the presenter usually says that viewers must trust that the reduction will happen. When the reduction happens, sometimes it’s a big one and the viewers get a nice surprise, but sometimes the stock is limited, and those who wait till nearer the end of the programme before placing their order so that they know what the final price is, miss out because there is no stock left. Today I ordered something at the full price of £11.99. It was reduced at the end of the programme to £6.99. I was happy!
Perhaps that’s not the best example, after all God doesn’t try and tempt us with a carrot. We know we can trust Him. But how much of a way to show that we do, and also expressing our love and gratitude is it to actually do as He asks.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for every promise that You have made. Help me to show that I believe and trust You by my obedience. I ask in Jesus’ Name.