God tells us we only need faith the size of a mustard seed. He teaches us that His promises are true. If we only stop and turn to God, we will receive salvation. The road to faith seems relatively easy when I look at these few perspectives.
The story of Abraham comes into view. I read from Genesis and find that at age seventy-five years old, Abraham left everything he knew and said “yes” to God. Following God at any age is not easy if your “yes” truly means “yes”. Here is what God said to Abraham:
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3
But along the path to faith, there are many detours. God created us as humans and gave us free choice. How do we follow through on our “yes” and stay true to God’s calling when challenges set in?
I do not have all the answers, but this is what I know:
God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow.
His faith and belief in us are enough to move mountains.
God’s presence never leaves our sides.
His love never fails, and
When we go off road, God will restore us to the main path with one small invitation from us.
Abraham faced one test after another. The best part of his story is the perseverance he displayed through each one. If I want to gain a clear picture of faith, I look to Abraham. His story reveals a faith that I pray to have a tenth of in my own life.
[Tweet “Faith is the perseverance we exhibit when the going gets tough.”]
May we live like Abraham with our eyes on God and our hearts willing to say “yes”. I pray we find our own reserve of perseverance when the going gets tough.
Sabbath Blessings,
Hi Mary! It never ceases to amaze me how ‘up-to-date’ the bible is. Every person’s life from centuries ago still teaches in every age, and never gets old.
Abraham’s faith is a real standout, and deciding to go, and not know where it leads always impresses me. I always want to know where I’m going, how I will get there…but that’s not faith. No. I can’t move mountains (as I said in my last post), but I can work on baby steps every day. Well, even that only with faith and the power of the Spirit.
Blessings,
Ceil
I love the deep connection I find when I read God’s Word too. It doesn’t matter how long ago the stories were written does it??
I also want to know where I’m going. I am a planner and this part of my personality doesn’t fit in when we are waiting for God’s perfect timing. We cannot move mountains but I love how a baby step here and there can make such a difference. Thank you for joining in the conversation.
Abraham’s perseverance of faith astounds me sometimes, Mary. I’m sure his heart was filled with pain sometimes, but yet he kept believing. He kept answering God’s call to him, no matter where it led. Like Linda, I often wonder about Isaac. I can’t imagine what trauma he went through. And yet God’s mercy is unending to heal and restore. Thank you for Abraham’s story and the encouraging reminder that we only need faith the size of a mustard seed. Love and hugs to you!
Abraham is a beautiful example of faith. For some reason, his story has become important to me at this time in my life. There is something so affirming to see Abraham’s perseverance especially starting at age 75.
Since both you and Linda brought up Isaac, I’m thinking I need to explore that in a deeper way. I pray we find that our faith is a gift and we don’t need some superpower to keep it, we just need God. I’m thankful for you Trudy!
A true showing of perseverance and faithfulness that Jesus taught many, many years later, Abraham was! He heard and he went to unknown places, and the journey sure wasn’t easy. Whenever I feel stuck, I’ll see those word, “he went” in my mind and it takes me to taking that next step.
Oh, those two words “he went”. There is a lot behind those words especially when we think of Abraham. I pray I say “yes” as easily as Abraham and persevere with faith in my own life. Let’s step out bravely together.
Ah, Mary … that story of Abraham readying to sacrifice Isaac comes to mind. I sometimes wonder what that was like for Isaac. Did the image of his father holding a knife over him as he was bound on the altar ever leave him?
Did his faith grow because of what they went through? Did he ever feel safe with his father again?
Obedience can sometimes come at a great cost. This is a tough story to work our way through …
You have challenged me to dig deeper into the story of Abraham. I have not thought of how Isaac felt or if his faith grew. I do agree that this is a tough story to work through. I certainly appreciate you helping me to think outside the box.
The road to faith is easy, but for free will! We get in the way of ourselves, don’t we, Mary? Abraham is an inspiration and a warning. Blessings on your Sabbath!
I get in the way of myself often. Thank goodness God is patient and loving. Abraham is a wonderful example for all of us. I hope I take heed and turn to God when I find myself off road.
Dear Mary,
Thank you for these beautiful thoughts about Abraham, especially this:
“His love never fails, and
When we go off road, God will restore us to the main path with one small invitation from us.”
I am so thankful that only one small glance upwards is all it takes, and God is right here with me, restoring me back to His best path! Blessings to you today!
The glance upward is not always the first thing I think to do. Abraham seemed to have this down but I look to myself to solve problems before trusting God.
I pray I continue to open my heart to inviting God to restore me back to the road. I love that you were here today.
May God bless me with such faith all the time.
Yes and amen! Praying we all seek and find brave faith in our life’s journey!
Mary,
How true that we con’t cruise through this life, we are called to persevere. No one really tells us that as children, it’s something we have to come to know. Another writer wrote the “hardship is the forerunner of joy.” I think that the joy we experience is tied into the trials through which we have persevered. May we all be more like Abraham saying “Yes, Lord” and then buckling up and relying on God for what we will ultimately persevere through. Thanks for the encouragement this am.
Sunday blessings,
Bev xx
I love the quote “hardship is the forerunner of joy”. I find immense joy on the other side of challenges. I pray I don’t get so frustrated when I am going through my own difficulties. Abraham is a great example of how to naturally persevere and keep his eyes focused on God. Thank you for being here.
Every year when I make pickles from summer cucumbers, I take up one of those tiny mustard seeds and marvel. And thank you, Mary, for inspiring thanksgiving in me today that my road has, indeed, been a comparatively easy one, that “the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places.”
We have much to be thankful for, my friend, so thanks for using Abraham as a pointer for me this morning!
I know I would love to see your garden and to learn how to can veggies from you. I think the process would be calming.
When I look at my life, I have had it rather easy too. Abraham is such a good model of perseverance for me. Keeping our eyes focused on God and trusting Him throughout was Abraham’s natural response. I’m praying that I learn how to walk in faith like Abraham.