“Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. Then the Lord told him, “I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as your possession” But Abram replied, O Sovereign Lord, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it? So the Lord made a covenant with Abram that day and said, “I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River.” Genesis 15:5-8;18 NLT
In the midst of his faith, Abram still doubted.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:26-31 NLT
Jesus reached out for Peter in the middle of his doubt.
“While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed. So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.” Acts 14:8-10 NLT
Oh, to have faith like this man had. To believe when everything in me is telling me to doubt. How do I rise above the distrust that threatens to steal my hope? I choose to remember God’s goodness. His past faithfulness. His unchanging character. I cry out to him, knowing that he hears me. I stay in his word and listen for his voice. My faith has been tested this past year. But, when I change my perspective, there is a shift in how I see.
“Faith is a prism we need to see hope when all seems lost, to survive the furnace of suffering, to grow despite the pain. Faith is the prism we need to see hope when all seems lost, to survive the furnace of suffering, to grow despite the pain. Faith allows us to see that it’s okay to have doubt, but we doubt the doubt more than the promise of the One who never breaks his word.”(When it’s So Dark All You Can See is Faith, Dr. Lee Warren, Jan 10, 2020, annvoskamp.com)
Dear Father, thank you that you are with me always. Thank you that you are fighting for me and my family.(Nehemiah 4:20). I praise you for who you are. Amen.
Amy(amyctanner)
Sixty-six books in a year 