no distrust!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Jer. 7:21-34; Rom. 4:13-25; John 7:37-52

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
(Romans 4:20-21)

No distrust. Abraham did not stop trusting God in spite of two withered bodies well past child bearing, he did not waver in trusting the God who promised life where there was no possibility of it - rather "the God in whom he believed... gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist." (v. 17)

Rather than weakening in trust or faith as time went along and the promise was unfulfilled, Abraham actually strengthened in his faith / trust / belief. And one way he did that (the only way Paul shares) was that he gave glory to God. As he gave glory to God his faith grew stronger.

So... how do we give glory to God? How can we be good stewards of the gift of faith, so that it increases like a good investment, and does not waver and weaken and diminish as we draw off it as if holding our breath, or sprinting for a hoped for finish line (that in fact may be miles and years ahead of us).

In our hearts and minds, with our lips, in our sharing and giving, and in all our actions. By being and becoming who we are, who God says we are - and not what our bodies say we are or what our thoughts say we are or our compulsions or lusts or whatever. And most simply (or frustratingly) by being "fully convinced that God is able to do what he promised." Wow, how can I make that up? If I'm not fully convinced, really? Well, we do intend to glorify God in all we think, say, and do. And then, that intention or desire or thirst we take to the Lord himself... and drink.

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7)

Lord Jesus, we believe, help our unbelief. We want to glorify you, but are so infected with wanting our own glory. Heal us. Help us. Fill us. Change us. You who were faithful, who did not waver in distrust, even unto death, you who were dead and now live and reign, give life to these dying bodies and messed up minds and be glorified in us, by us, and through us.