Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

Abraham’s faith is amazing for one simple reason: Abraham’s knowledge was minimal, but his faith was massive. He didn’t have the Bible as a reference. He didn’t know this God who was speaking to him, and neither did anyone else in Abraham’s social circle. Abraham had very little knowledge. In comparison, we tend to know a lot more but believe and trust less.

You may think, I wish God would just speak to me. He probably already has. You simply need to believe and obey. You may not need more information from Him; you may need more faith in Him and more obedience to Him.

God shows up in Genesis 12 and tells Abraham: "Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (vv. 2–3).

When God blesses you, then it’s to bless others. When God gives you money, then it’s to be generous to others. When God gives you love, then it’s to love others. We are to be the conduit of God’s blessings, not just the recipient of His blessings. Abraham’s response is legendary. At the age of 75, he packs and leaves everything. He obeys God and starts over.

At this point, Abraham’s wife, Sarah, is very elderly and barren of offspring. They have never had any children. And yet God makes another promise: “To your offspring I will give this land” (Genesis 12:7). This offspring would become the nation of Israel, and the land would be the Promised Land. There’s so much historical conflict over Israel because the land was promised to the descendants of Abraham, through whom Jesus, the Son of God, would be the blessing to the nations of the earth. It’s a great piece of land!

Abraham built an altar there, and he worshipped God. There are times in your life when you have to just stop, build an altar, and worship God. You can build an altar in your house, in your car, and even in your place of work. Read the Bible, pray, and worship God wherever you go! You need to habitually meet with God and invite His presence into the midst of your day. When God speaks to you, the key is to stop and worship Him.

Now Abraham doesn’t see everything God is going to do. But he believes everything God says He will do. Abraham worships while he waits. Sometimes in the waiting, we get very anxious and try to take matters into our own hands. All we really need to do, though, is worship. That’s what Abraham does. (Continued on Day 92 ...)

Today’s Reflection

What has God spoken to you that you need to obey?