Believing the Lord

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.
Genesis 15:6, NLT*

Abram believed God. Sometimes it’s that simple.

By now in Abram’s journey with God, he’s seen God protect and provide for his household in amazing ways. He’s had conversations with God and recognizes God’s voice.

Here, he’s been lamenting to God that all the riches he’s acquired are hollow… he has no son to inherit them, and they’ll pass to a servant. I’m sure the man is a well-trusted servant, but still, Abram longs for a son.

He’s honest with God about his pain.

God (who’s just been accused of not providing Abram a son) says that not only will Abram have a son, he’ll have as many descendants as there are stars in the sky.

Abram knows the facts. He’s old. His wife Sarai is old. If they haven’t conceived by now, it’s not happening.

Abram knows God. What God says, God does.

And Abram knows God’s voice.

Abram believes. And that’s all God wants here: believing faith.

As the story progresses, we see that Abram isn’t perfect. He falls into Sarai’s plans to “help” God by producing an heir through her maid. But his belief never wavers. God will provide.

Holy, Creator God, Your ways are beyond our knowing. Sometimes they don’t make sense to us. But You ask us to trust You. And You’ve already proven Your trustworthiness, power and love. You speak to us in many ways through the Bible and through the Holy Spirit. Teach us to recognize Your voice, and help us to believe what You say. Your Word says so much about how You see us, what You promise us, and who You want us to be. Help us to trust and obey.

This song from the band Fee reminds us of truths to hold onto: “Everything Falls.”

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

4 thoughts on “Believing the Lord

  1. Ginny Jaques

    You had me from “hello” on this one, Janet. That first line is so powerful. I’ve been thinking lately that the simple faith in God I had as a child is the kind I should continue to have as an adult, after all the evidence and rational documentation I’ve collected over the years, it comes back to the fact that God says it and I believe it. Thanks for the reminder.

    Reply
  2. Ruth Ann Holloway-Adams

    Beautifully expressed, Janet! Faith in his promises is what God wants. I love the way you put it, that Abraham was honest with God, and in return, God answered him. Thanks for your encouraging words!

    Reply
    1. Janet Sketchley

      Sometimes we’re afraid to honestly tell God what we’re feeling, as if we could hide our doubts from Him. When we admit where we are, He can work with that. But when we deny it, we don’t give Him room to work. I love the man’s prayer in the New Testament, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”

      Reply

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