Scripture Reading: Genesis 15:1-6
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." But Abram said, "Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" Then Abram said, "Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!" And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir." Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
I was shocked to find that every instance of true and total faithfulness in the bible, references God and not man. Though we are admonished to be faithful, the bible seems to confirm what we already know - within ourselves we lack the ability to achieve true faithfulness. As hard as we may try, we miss the mark sometimes. As much as we may strive, we don't always come through. But our God is forever faithful and true. The Lamentation writer concluded, "Great is thy faithfulness". But even knowing this, sometimes we still try and measure each other's faithfulness and spirituality. When you think about it, it's almost laughable to consider that imperfect beings spend large amounts of time painstakingly devising methods to gauge the salvation and spiritual value of other imperfect beings. Somewhat preposterous isn't it?
There is a young lady at my job that I've had a problem with since she started some months ago. Very often during the course of the day she walks by and doesn't even speak. I know we all have a lot on our minds, but that's no reason to be rude. I always make a point to call out her name, and afterwards she will respond, but not with the kind of fondness that I'm accustomed to. So I decided she was conceited and arrogant. Just last week I shared my dislike with another co-worker simply to find that the young lady in question has very limited vision. Can you imagine how embarrassed and dumb I felt? The fact is she couldn't see me. Knowing this changed my perception and our relationship. Here is someone with a handicap that probably would keep me shut in at home crying about how life is not fair. Not her, she is out there competing and struggling with all the rest of us. Instead of dismissing her, now I'm looking for every opportunity to assist her. Her stock has soared in my book.
Abraham, who we affectionately (and correctly) consider the father of faith, had a vision from God. In the vision he asked God for an heir. Obviously, his heart desired a son, but he and his wife were well beyond the age of childbearing. They were handicapped. I don't know that Abraham would have consciously asked God for a son knowing what he knew about himself. But in the midst of his vision he was emboldened to place before God his hearts desire; and God heard and answered his request.
But Abraham's reward was not attained because he had a dream or because he had a need. His victory came because he believed God! His belief in God was so complete that God determined that it ought to count as righteousness.
Those of us that have studied the life of Abraham know that he was anything but perfect. He had flaws and shortcomings as all us humans do. But God called him a friend. God considered his act of faith, righteous.
Child of God, I don't care how much we try and judge each other and point fingers and argue who is right and who is wrong; at the end of the day God is the only one keeping score that matters. The bible says, (1st Samuel 16:7) For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
My fondest desire this morning is to gain the faith, conviction of spirit and determination of soul to simple believe God. I wonder how many blessing I've walked away from because I didn't believe. I wonder where I could be today if at every instance I just believed God. I don't want to miss another opportunity to fulfill my mission and accomplish my destiny. Lord, help my unbelief. I pray that each of us will seek the Lord for the same thing. Though we are marred, and flawed, if we can only believe we can receive incredible blessings from the Lord. We may be old, broken and handicapped, but if we can just receive the promise from God, and believe it; greatness is still within our reach. Don't depend on the word of others and don't count yourself out. God is keeping the books. He counts our faith as righteousness!
God Bless!!