A Model of Faith

I like Christmas. I just don’t need three months of it. It goes on and on, with all the pressure to buy, buy, buy.

On the other hand, I like Thanksgiving. There’s no pressure to buy. Aside from eating turkey and all the things that go with it, the most important thing is giving thanks.

That’s something Christians should do all year long. It should not depend on our circumstances. We give thanks because God is good.

Abraham is a model of how to have faith when things are looking bleak. He gave thanks to God before he had the answer to his prayer. He was 100 years old, and there was no hint of a child in his future. Yet he still gave God the glory.

In the same way, what happens when we, by faith, give thanks to God despite our circumstances? Our faith will grow stronger. Romans 4:20 tells us, “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God” (NLT).

Abraham believed, despite his circumstances. Are you in a place right now where you need a miracle in your life? In other words, if God does not come through for you, are you effectively dead in the water?

I have a word of encouragement for you today: don’t give up. Look at the situation the Israelites found themselves in after Moses led them out of Egypt. In front of them was the Red Sea, and behind them was the Egyptian army in hot pursuit. And they panicked.

Moses prayed, God opened up the Red Sea, and they walked through. But the same Red Sea they walked through came crashing down on the pursuing army.

Maybe you’re between a rock and a hard place today. God can get you through. So don’t give up.