On My Mind...
Is it wrong to question? Does the person who lives by faith walk in unquestioning obedience to God and never suffer from a twinge of doubt or confusion? If you listen to modern day “faith teachers,” to have even the slightest doubt is to be denied the blessing of God. Is that a biblical view? Is that reflected in the lives of the saints in Scripture? In exploring the life of Abraham, the friend of God, I don’t find any support for such a position.
Abraham stumbled and struggled to believe. He wasn’t, at every turn, the shining example of faith. Yet at the end of the day, he is remembered for his faith. He is called the “father of faith.” But most surprisingly he is called the “friend of God.” The interesting thing is that there are only three such references in all the Scripture and none of them appear in the historical narrative of his life! We find those references in the following passages:
2 Chronicles 20:7
The armies of Moab and Ammon had invaded Judah, Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of the people before the temple in Jerusalem and based on his earlier promises to the nation’s fathers, asked God for deliverance: “O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?”
James 2:23
“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.”
The most significant was Isaiah 41:8
“But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend.”
God himself referred to Abraham as his friend! Imagine that, given that Abraham often stumbled and fell. You remember how he tried to pass his wife off as his sister (more than once), fearing he would be harmed. He thought it was impossible when first told that he and Sarah would have a child. To be sure, there were times when he was a sterling example of faith and courage, but at other times the epitome of faltering faith. The problem is not in the questioning – it is a matter of what you do with your questions. It is a matter of how you handle your doubts. Abraham’s faith is most clearly exhibited in those moments when he pressed on in the midst of his doubt and confusion. As in the time he offered Isaac on the altar. God’s command made no sense. It seemed to contradict God’s promise. Yet, at the first opportunity Abraham took off for the mountain to obey God’s command. What do you think went on in his heart when Isaac said, “Father, we have the wood and the fire, where is the lamb?” It must have been like a knife in his heart. “God will provide.” The agony of soul as he built the altar, arranged the wood, bound his son, “Father?” The writer of Hebrews provides this insight, By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead…
Abraham didn’t have all the answers. He struggled the same as the rest of us. His theology was not always correct, his courage often failed – the point is, it wasn’t the strength of his faith. It wasn’t the purity of his faith, it was the object of his faith. He could say, with the apostle Paul, I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. When you doubt, when you struggle, press on. Hold fast to the One who is able. That is the life of faith.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
Abraham stumbled and struggled to believe. He wasn’t, at every turn, the shining example of faith. Yet at the end of the day, he is remembered for his faith. He is called the “father of faith.” But most surprisingly he is called the “friend of God.” The interesting thing is that there are only three such references in all the Scripture and none of them appear in the historical narrative of his life! We find those references in the following passages:
2 Chronicles 20:7
The armies of Moab and Ammon had invaded Judah, Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of the people before the temple in Jerusalem and based on his earlier promises to the nation’s fathers, asked God for deliverance: “O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?”
James 2:23
“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.”
The most significant was Isaiah 41:8
“But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend.”
God himself referred to Abraham as his friend! Imagine that, given that Abraham often stumbled and fell. You remember how he tried to pass his wife off as his sister (more than once), fearing he would be harmed. He thought it was impossible when first told that he and Sarah would have a child. To be sure, there were times when he was a sterling example of faith and courage, but at other times the epitome of faltering faith. The problem is not in the questioning – it is a matter of what you do with your questions. It is a matter of how you handle your doubts. Abraham’s faith is most clearly exhibited in those moments when he pressed on in the midst of his doubt and confusion. As in the time he offered Isaac on the altar. God’s command made no sense. It seemed to contradict God’s promise. Yet, at the first opportunity Abraham took off for the mountain to obey God’s command. What do you think went on in his heart when Isaac said, “Father, we have the wood and the fire, where is the lamb?” It must have been like a knife in his heart. “God will provide.” The agony of soul as he built the altar, arranged the wood, bound his son, “Father?” The writer of Hebrews provides this insight, By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead…
Abraham didn’t have all the answers. He struggled the same as the rest of us. His theology was not always correct, his courage often failed – the point is, it wasn’t the strength of his faith. It wasn’t the purity of his faith, it was the object of his faith. He could say, with the apostle Paul, I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. When you doubt, when you struggle, press on. Hold fast to the One who is able. That is the life of faith.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod