True Faith
When I study Abraham's life I'm struck by just how 'human' he was. He's the father of the faith, but his life was full of mishaps and odd decisions.
He went to the land God showed him, but then twice he lied about his wife in order to save his skin. He had a great victory against the 5 kings and tithed to Melchizedek, but then fathers a child through his concubine and abandons them both. He argues with God, laughs at god, but ultimately he trusts God.
I know most people point to the sacrificing of Isaac as Abraham's ultimate test of Faith, but to me that's more like a highlight. For me the real substance of Abraham's faith is right here in Gen 24:6-7. And it's this: Abraham never went back home.
All the crazy things he did, all the victories and failures, all the faith and all the mistakes were made in the 'promised land.' He was so committed to staying in the land, even as he nears death and seeks out a wife for his son, he refuses to go back, but sends a servant instead.
I'm so encouraged by this because when people look back on my life there will be moments of faith mixed with moments of foolishness. But in the end the most important thing is this: I lived in the promise... and I never went back.
By grace, God will count that to me as righteousness.
Created over 3 years ago
