Believing God No Matter What

Mention the name "Abraham" and some of us immediately recall the story of his childlessness and the miracle of the birth of Isacc when Abraham was 100 years old, and his wife, Sarah, ten years younger. We can recall the times God visited with him and the promises He made and reminded Abraham of at different times over a 25-year period. Despite faltering with the humanly-contrived plan that resulted in the birth of Ishmael through Hagar, Sarah's then servant, the Genesis writer affirmed that when God told Abraham that his seed would be like the stars in the sky, Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). It is a wonderful story of trusting God in the face of impossible odds.

While it is evident that God fulfilled His promise to Abraham, it is easy to forget Sarah. About thirteen years before the birth of Issac, Sarai, as she was known then, being incapable of conceiving a child, had agreed to allow a marriage of convenience between Abram, as he was known then, and Hagar. When Hagar "saw that she had conceived, her mistress [Sarai] was despised in her eyes" (Genesis 16:4. KJV). As if the stigma of being barren wasn't shameful enough, bible scholar Matthew Henry notes, "[Hagar] looked scornfully upon her mistress, upbraids her perhaps with her barrenness, insults over her, to make her to fret (as 1 Sam. 1:6), and boasts of the prospect she had of bringing an heir to Abram, to that good land, and to the promise. Now she thinks herself a better woman than Sarai, more favoured by Heaven, and likely to be better beloved by Abram; and therefore she will not submit as she has done." It is no wonder that after Sarai complained to Abram, and his indifference to what she would do with Hagar, Sarai dealt harshly with her and she fled from her face (Genesis 16:6).

However, God's plan for Abram included Sarai, even though she did not know how. Her feelings were hurt and she needed her own comfort from God. After all, she was well past childbearing age, so much so that when the LORD repeated the promise of a son, she laughed and pondered at the impossibility (Genesis 18:12). The LORD told Abram of her reaction and said, "Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son" (vv. 13, 14). In the fullness of time, the narrative continues, "the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him" (21:1-2).

What is the application for us? Go ahead and read the verse as follows: "And the LORD visited [me] as He had said, and the LORD did unto [me] as He had spoken." That could be your testimony. He is the same today as He was back then. Whatever the situation, believe God. His promises can often time look impossible in the face of our realities, but our realities are no match for His awesomeness. He will visit you as He has said; He will do unto you as He has spoken. Just ask Sarah.

What Are You Concerned About?

It is easy to put oneself above others and we start to do so very early in our lives. To look at a toddler who believes everything is "mine, mine" is to see a human being perfecting the art of looking out for him or her self. To explain this seemingly universal trait, some would argue that we are predisposed to being selfish. Evolutionists tell us this predisposition is the result of the evolutionary principle of "the survival of the fittest." Yet, all ethical systems emphasize the essential value of helping others.

Regardless of its source, the selfish trait is still in play even after we become Christians. It is one thing to put oneself above others, but what about putting oneself above the things of Christ? This was the problem facing some of the Apostle Paul's compatriots. In his letter to the church at Philippi , he laments, "For I have no man likeminded [as Timotheus], who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's" (Philippians 2:20-21, KJV), or as Eugene Peterson paraphrases both verses, "I have no one quite like Timothy. He is loyal, and genuinely concerned for you. Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus" (The Message). While the narrative is short on details, it could very well be that Paul's observation grew out of the refusal of some to go visit the church he was writing to (see v. 19). Maybe something was asked of them that required making sacrifices, putting others above themselves, risking death, or whatever else, these people had no interest. They were the ones who would later abandon Paul during his trial; "they all ran like scared rabbits" (2 Timothy 4:21, The Message).

It is easy to criticize these people. However, as Albert Barnes cautions, "Let us not be harsh in judging them. How many professing Christians in our cities and towns are there now who would be willing to leave their business and their comfortable homes . . . who would not seek some excuse, and show that it was a characteristic that they 'sought their own' rather than the things which pertained to the kingdom of Jesus Christ?" It is necessary to remind ourselves that to be concerned about the things of Christ means practicing self-denial. Indeed, saying "yes" to Christ often means saying "no" to ourselves. For many of us, that does not come naturally. Yet deny ourselves we must, if we are going to strive to please our Lord.

"Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus." Is he talking about you?

Pressing Forward to Knowing Christ

The calendar has rolled over and with that, 2011 is now in the past. As we close in on the first week of 2012, for some of us it seems nothing has changed. For others, there is a sense of expectancy as we anticipate the unfolding of the days and months ahead and the achievement of cherished goals and dreams. Armed with a new attitude and a new resolve, we feel assured that our faith in God will continue to allow us to live purposeful and rewarding lives. Regardless of how we choose to approach the New Year, one thing we cannot afford is to be complacent.

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines complacency as "self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies." Whenever the child of God settles into this state, the enemy rubs his hands with glee. The apostle Paul demonstrated his unwillingness to be complacent when he wrote to the brethren in Philippi, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14, KJV). Like a runner exerting every bit of effort to get to the finishing line, Paul resolved to push ahead, to pursue and take hold of the prize.

In verses 7-11, the narrative speaks of the cherished prize. Here we see Paul forsaking and forgetting everything he was and had accomplished in his life. This he did "for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead."

Amidst everything else we desire for this year, what greater pursuit than to know Christ? Everything else pales in comparison. As Paul concludes, "So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also" (v. 15, The Amplified). This is a call not just to a head knowledge of Christ, but an intimate one; one that is rooted in the heart and ultimately transform the way we live. I invite all of us to pursue that above all else.

"Let the Church Say Amen"

If ever there was a song that was perfect for starting the New Year, Let the Church Say Amen is a strong candidate. The first time I heard this song, the tears flowed freely as it felt like I was enveloped in the presence of His Majesty. I was struck by the profound simplicity of its message which was centered around Nehemiah 8:6, "And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands; and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground." When God speaks, whether it be to give instructions, directions, correction, encouragement, or whatever else, our singular response must be "Amen". No debate, no discussion, no excuse.

Sung by Marvin Winans on Andrae Crouch's CD, Journey, I hope it blesses you as much as it did me.