Full of faith like Abraham

Dear friend

The great patriarch Abraham is a central figure in Judaism, Christianity, Islam as well as various lesser known religious traditions. Like others did, the Apostle Paul highlighted Abraham's life as exemplary. He once wrote about Abraham's great faith by citing the experience of him being told he was to become a father - at 100 years old. This was many years after having first been told he was to become the father of nations. Even nowadays, with all the advances in medicine, it would still be amazing to hear of a centenarian and his "barren" 90 year old wife conceiving.

Yet Abraham was not only full of years, he was also full of faith. Once he had understood the actuality of the expected child, he completely trusted God's promise, despite everything that would say it was impossible. Paul describes Abraham's faith in the New Testament, Romans 4:20, 21.

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

There is surely a lesson here for us. All received wisdom would stand against the prospect of a child being born under these conditions. But Abraham was not the least wavering in his trust. As with God Himself, Abraham in like manner acted as if it had already happened. He gave glory to God for having received the promised blessing.

Paul's phrase emphasising the totally of trust is enlightening: "being fully persuaded". If God were to tell you that some problem will all work out right, can you be so fully persuaded as to act like you know it will? If you worry about a past sin, do you sufficiently trust those called and set apart to assist you, so that in due course it becomes "remembered no more"? If the Prophet gives counsel that applies to you, is your faith firm enough to take it in?

I hope that we can grow towards total trust in God. I pray our faith becomes strong like Abraham's.

Samuel.