Holding onto what we believe God has said to us, even in the face of contrary circumstances, is one of the biggest and hardest things we’ll ever have to do in our walk with God.
Take for example Abraham who was childless when God spoke to him and told him he was going to be a father. And not just the father of one child, but the father of a nation with descendants as vast as the stars in the heavens. At the time Abraham had no children and for twenty five more years, even after God had spoken this word, Abraham and his wife Sarah remained childless. Until finally when all natural hope had gone and Sarah was well past the age of being able to fall pregnant, she gave birth to a son Isaac.
Every day, year after year they’d held onto the promise, and no doubt everyday they’d battled with others opinions, their own doubts and the conflict in their minds and bodies as to how this was ever going to happen.
Yet Abraham chose against all hope to believe, and as a result he is called the Father of Faith. He figured out that if we’re ever going to receive all that God says is ours, then we’d better choose to believe and act differently from the general population. (Romans 4:1-12)
One of the biggest keys I see in Abraham’s walk of faith and choosing to walk differently is that he determined to keep what God had spoken and revealed to him before his eyes and in his mouth.
God changed Abraham’s name from Abram to Abraham because it means Father of a nation. Every time he said his name or other’s called out to Him it reminded Abraham and prophesied God’s promise to all listening – Abraham you are a Father! Each night when he looked up at the night sky he stood and remembered what God had spoken; that his descendants would be as many as the stars in the sky.
In a world where there are so many voices telling us so many things as to what we should value and believe, we are going to have to make a choice. Do we listen to the noise or do we listen to God’s still quiet voice. His voice which speaks to our hearts and tells us things to come, who we are and all that He has planned for us?
Today I recommend choosing to stop and listen to God’s voice and to spend time searching His words in the bible to discover what He has promised and wants to show you. Then stand and hold onto what God speaks and reveals to your heart to be true, and be brave enough to believe it as you keep it before you eyes and in your mouth. Because that’s the path to living the life for which you were born.
“The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”
Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”(Genesis 15:6)
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:18-22)
Prayer: Lord I hold onto your promises and thank you that you are faithful. Please help me to keep what you have spoken before my eyes and in my mouth, and to remember that it is by faith and patience that we inherit the promises of God. (Heb 6:12) In Jesus name Amen.