Faith not Fear

One of God’s spiritual gifts to me is faith. I have exercised that gift better at some times than at others. God spoke clearly to me about starting an organization to train students for cross-cultural ministry. FOCUS International was born out of a clear word from God and in spite of many who questioned what we were doing. I exercised great faith in the early years of FOCUS. I also experienced fear.

I am so drawn to and the listing of those “who by faith” believed God when it seemed that what He was asking of them was impossible. The story of Abraham is indicative of what it is to walk by faith while at the same time struggling with fear.

 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”

Is this the same man who, from the strength of his faith in God’s power is considered the father of the faithful? Is this the same man who had inner strength to lay his only son on the altar? I think there is a lesson here for all of us. May we learn that faith is the gift of God; that the strength of it depends on the Spirit of the Lord.

Father, may I not only be encouraged by Abraham’s great faith but also realize that like Abraham I can show cowardice and not acknowledge You as my sustainer and protector. If Abraham is an example to us for what it means to live by faith, he also manifested the most cowardly example of distrust. We would do well to remember !