Faith that results to obedience
It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. Hebrews 11:8-11
When God allows trials and testing in life, He knows that they will help us discover the extent of how much we have grown in our faith to God. These are the moments that will stretch our faith. These are also the times where we will discover new and deeper truths about God; His plans, His will and His promises. They will also help us gain understanding of how much we still trust our own abilities over the power of God. Trials and difficulties are often painful, yet they are proven to be valuable for us. God’s goal is for us to conform in His image. This can only be accomplished by learning how to be obedient through trying times. “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). From our text, we are provided an example of what trusting-faith looked like. The faith shown by the examples mentioned in Hebrews 11 were manifested by being obedient to God. Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his long-awaited son Isaac. Though we are not told the immediate response of Abraham yet it would be safe to presume that the command was confusing. He might have thought that God’s command seemed to be unreasonable. Just think about the love Abraham had for his son, Isaac. He could have also doubted God’s promise that he would become the ‘father of all nations.” So asking him to offer the one that might fulfill the promise might seem to be unfair and unbearable. Yet, nothing of these sorts of thinking was mentioned in the Scripture. Instead, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to God. It is by your obedience through trials and difficulties that you will grow in your relationship with God. Obedience to God is not the basis of our salvation. Obedience is a by-product of our salvation. Painful and confusing the trials might be, yet they are God’s ways to strengthen and mature us in our faith. Instead of making excuses when facing God’s testing, why don’t you trust Him, His unending love, and remain obedient. Continue to show your wholehearted dedication to Him as His child. And be rest assured that God will always be with you as you go through trials and testing in life.
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
