February 13-14 – Faith counts

Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice” - Genesis 22:15-18

Two-year-old Ben has a ritual he goes through every morning before he ventures down-stairs. Getting out of bed he toddles around gathering up his two blankets, his giant stuffed Winnie the Pooh, and his fluffy, stuffed lamb named Chop. It's only then he's ready to face another day. Ben is at his most secure when his arms are full of soft, cuddly things.

Doesn't that sound like us as Christians? - we tightly clutch those things that give us a false sense of security and safety. But, as He did with Abraham, God wants us to trust Him to provide, not cuddlies.- especially when facing life's uncertainties. Abraham's story of his implicit faith in God, and His reward, teaches two important lessons about our relationship with the Lord.

First, What we retain for ourselves, God asks us to release to Him. God wants us to trust Him with our children, our marriages, our careers, and our cherished dreams for the future – everything we hold dear. He is worthy of that trust.

Second, God always honours faithful obedience. He rewards those who believe His Word and seek Him with their hearts and lives (Hebrews 11:6). We must stop clinging to the world and it's ways – to come to Him with empty, open hands, and He will fill them with blessings that overflow. That was true for Abraham, and it's true also for you and for me.

One by one He took them from me,

All the things I valued most,

Until I was empty handed;

Every glittering toy was lost.

And I walked earth's highways, grieving,

In my rags and poverty.

Till I heard His voice inviting,

“Lift your empty hands to Me.”

So I held my hands toward heaven,

And He filled them with a store

Of His own transcendent riches

Till they could contain no more.

And at last I comprehended

With my stupid mind and dull,

That God COULD not pour His riches

Into hands already full.

(Martha Snell Nicholson)

Are you willing to empty your hands to Christ today? Let go with the assurance that the Lord has promised you an abundant supply of blessings in return.

(Adapted from Charles Swindoll, Practical Christianity).

Today's music is chosen from a selection by Bryn, “Lord You Keep on Blessing Me” - Primitive Quartet. Click on the picture to listen. How true these words are!