Abraham's Faith - Tenacity In Action

copyright Millie Plastaras 9/2006

Abraham thought about all this, but his faith in God did
not become weak. He never doubted that God would
keep his promise, and he never stopped believing.
He grew stronger in his faith and gave his praise to God.
Abraham felt sure that God was able to do what He promised.
Romans 4:20-22

Abraham certainly had many challenges to his faith.
Challenges that would break the back of most that believe,
and yet ... don't see the answer coming. Abraham wanted
a child very much, and persisted in prayer about it. God
had told him that Abraham's descendants would be too
many to count. And yet, here was Abraham, 100 years
old and no children. And Sarah his wife was 90 years old!
What had happened to the children God had promised
him?

The secret to Abraham's life, was listening. He persisted
in prayer, and God spoke to Abraham, because his heart
was turned the right way. He focused on God's ability,
and believed what God promised he would perform!

Oh, how his faith was tried. At a hundred years of age,
finally he had that son he so desperately had prayed for.
What a marvelous cause for great rejoicing. And then after
falling in love with this son, and spending hours with him,
talking, and bonding, and spending countless hours
together, and learning to love him more each day, God
requested something from Abraham, he had never imagined.
God asked Abraham to sacrifice this son.
What a challenge to his spiritual life!

Put yourself in this place. All your life you waited for a child,
a promise, you had heard right from God. And then
you finally have that beloved child and you are asked
to kill him for God? How would you reply?

Most of us, in our rebellion, and fleshly approach to our
spiritual life would be very angry with God. And probably
refuse to do such a thing. Yet Abraham, believed God
had a purpose and plan, and that he must follow God's
will and live righteously before God. Obedient, even
unto death. Abraham didn't scream, cry or complain,
he trusted. He took his son on a very sad journey to
a mountain to sacrifice him. What did they say to each other?
How did they cope with what they knew was ahead?

Yet, when the final moment came, God replaced
the need for sacrificing the son by providing a ram instead
to become the blood sacrifice. What relief this must have
bought to his heart. And what joy to His spirit. What
satisfaction, knowing He had been obedient. What cause
for rejoicing, I have been obedient, and you have rewarded
me with great mercy and kindness, I am yours O God.

This then, is trust. Real trust. No wavering, no vacillating,
no double thoughts, just trust. Relying on, clinging to,
believing in, trusting in, absolute, unshakable faith in
God and His ability to fulfill whatever He says he will do.

Abraham, was stubborn and persistent in his faith.
He just kept his eyes on God. What God said to do,
he did. It wasn't whining, why me God? It was "yes"
to God. It was I am your servant Oh Lord, what do you
want from me. And God blessed Abraham with
descendants that are too many to be counted.
And Abraham, to this day, is remembered for his
righteousness. Because He had unshakable faith.

Oh that we might just trust God. And stop worrying,
and stop being depressed, and stop wasting our time
wondering what is going to happen next. And just get into
the Bible, read it, live it, breathe it, receive it, cling to it,
speak it, walk it, talk it, live in it, and find peace, and
absolute reassurance in it. Just trust. Unwavering.
Strong, persistent, reliant, absolute faith. No matter
what.

It reminds me of a bulldog that gets a bone.
Once his jaws lock onto that bone, nothing is going to open
up his mouth. Those strong jaws lock tight and he is going
to hang on to that bone with bulldog tenacity. No matter
what circumstances come around that dog, or who
yells at him, or who pulls on him.. he is not going to let go.
He knows how to be persistent for something he wants.

And so should we. But in the spiritual realm.
Unwavering, perfectly trusting faith.
Don't let go, don't give up, don't look back,
Look at God, He is sufficient, and all powerful.

So should we lock onto the word of God, and persistently
trust. And when satan comes knocking at the door,
we speak the word of God unto him and say greater
is he who is in me than he who is in the world.
With God...all things are possible. God is still on the
throne my friends.

Let Him be God, and fulfill all He has for you.
And you just be the servant.
What He promises, He is more than able to fulfill, and will!!

Remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, for Christ will last