“No distrust made him [Abraham] waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore, his faith ‘was reckoned to him as righteousness.’” Romans 4: 20-22
The story of Abraham and the faith he showed in God’s promises is recorded in several places in the Bible. He believed that God would do what God had promised, even when things around him seemed to suggest something different. On our spiritual pilgrimage we often are called upon to have faith to trust in something that others can’t see or understand. You may know others that have been in this situation, or you may have been in a similar position.
One of the times in my life when this occurred was when I was thinking of going to the Trinity Lutheran Seminary. I had spent more than twenty-seven years in the insurance industry and wasn’t in a position to take early retirement but was given some really clear direction to go. The odd thing for me was that I knew that I should think about going, but I wasn’t sure why I was going before I went. I very strongly believe that in order to become an ordained pastor, a person had to receive a call from God in some form or fashion, and I had not received that call. However, it became clearer as I went along that I should go to Trinity anyway.
After I started, people would ask me why I was here, I would say that God told me to come, but I didn’t know why. After I was there for a few months, people began telling me that I would make a great pastor, but again I didn’t feel called to be one. Going to Trinity took faith in God’s promises, for I truly didn’t know why. Later on, I found out why when I met and married Shirley Ross, and became involved in my current ministry, however that was after I went.
On your spiritual pilgrimage, may you like Abraham have the faith to trust in the promises of God, so that when you are called to act, you can do so knowing that God will be with you! Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2022 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
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