Unwavering Belief

It is important that we take time to reflect on our spiritual journeys from time to time, so today I would like to reflect on the question: do I (we) have an unwavering belief in God?

First, let's look at the definition of unwavering: it is defined as being steady, resolute, determined, admirably purposeful. Unwavering belief is a religious conviction, faith, or confidence in God.

Hebrews 11 talks about various people in the Bible who lived by faith. Let these examples of unwavering faith be an encouragement to you as you learn to rely solely on God to bring about His plan for your life.

Two examples that I would like to focus on are Noah and Abraham.

Noah (Genesis chapters 6-9)

Noah was a great example of stepping out in faith despite what is going on in the world around him. Boy, can't we relate to that same wickedness in today's times? Noah trusted God completely and we can too, we should be confident and stand firm in our faith!

• Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord, and he did everything just as God commanded him. (6:8-9)

• He built the ark according to God's instructions. (6:11-22)

• Because of Noah's faithfulness his family was spared. (7:13)

• God destroyed all living things with a flood. (7:17-8:22)

• God made covenant with Noah. (9:1-17)
  

Abraham (Genesis chapters 12-22)

Abraham's story is a reminder that despite the mistakes he and Sarah made God forgave them and still blessed them. What an encouragement this can be for us as well.

• He was credited as righteousness because he believed God (Gen 15:6; Romans 4:1-3)

• When Abraham was about to enter Egypt, he told his wife to lie to the officials and say she was his sister because he feared they would kill him because she is beautiful. (Gen 12:10-20)

• His wife Sarai was baren, so she encouraged Abraham to have a child with her maidservant Hagar, she failed to trust that God could give her a son. (Gen 16:1-16)

• God confirmed his covenant when he was ninety-nine years old. (Gen 15:18-21, 17:2-7)

• God changed Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's name to Sarah (Gen 17:5, 15)

• God tested Abraham with his son Isaac. (Gen 22)

Lessons for us to learn:

• Abraham did not waver through unbelief when God said he would be the father of many nations, even though his wife was baren at the time.

Genesis 16:6 NIV

"Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness."

Romans 4:17 NIV

"As it is written: I have made you a father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed - the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were."

• Though God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham trusted that God would provide another offering.

Gen 22:8 NIV

Abraham answered, God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.

Genesis 22:11-13 NIV

But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham! "Here I am", he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

I encourage you to read the entire chapter of Romans 4 and as you contemplate the verses below (v17-22) take a moment to apply them in your own life. Where might you be wavering in unbelief? I encourage you to be FULLY persuaded that God has the power to do what He promises!

Romans 4:17-22 NIV

v17 As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed - the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. v18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." v19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah's womb was also dead. v20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, v21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. v22 This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."

Luke 1:37 NIV

"For nothing is impossible with God."

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime