Monday, January 8
Outlandish faith
Scripture: Genesis 15-16, Luke 8
Genesis 15:4–6 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
Observation
Verse 6 is the passage cited repeated in the New Testament as the grounds for justification by faith—see Romans 4:3, 5, 9, 22, Galatians 3:6, James 2:23.
When Abram complained that he had no heir, God promised not only to give him a son (literally, “what will come out of your own loins”), but descendants so numerous that like the stars, they could not be counted.
It seemed an outlandish promise for an elderly couple far past their prime who had never been able to conceive. But Abram believed God, and God credited it to him as righteousness. In other words, what God really wanted was a relationship of trust. That’s what made Abram right in God’s eyes.
And it’s still what God wants from us: deep trust. Outlandish faith!
Application
Two things.
First, I’m trusting Jesus for my salvation. I understand that I can’t earn God’s acceptance by my behavior. Eternal life is a gift, made possible by Jesus. I am “saved by grace through faith…it is the gift of God, not by works so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Second, I’m trusting God each day. God desires a relationship with me that is characterized by grace and faith. He offers grace, I respond with faith. I live moment by moment with deep faith in Him, trusting Him completely, even when it seems outlandish.
Where do I need to trust God today? Where, like Abram, do I have a complaint and need to hear God’s word and trust Him fully with outlandish faith?
Prayer: Lord, there will be moments today where I’ll wonder where You are or what You’re doing. Help me to trust you completely—even when, like Abram, it seems outlandish!