The Work of Faith

I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

Genesis 12:2-3 (HCSB)

Abraham didn't have this plan in mind. He didn't harbor such a dream in his heart. Having no children and knowing full well that he wouldn't have any, he hadn't even thought about it. But when God came to him and expressed His desire, not only to give him a child, but also to make him a great nation and a source of blessing, Abraham nurtured this dream in his heart and chose to trust God.

It was neither Abraham nor Sarah who approached God asking for a child. It was God Himself who made these promises to them, giving them the desire to have a legal heir. God didn't say to Abraham, "If you agree to go where I am taking you, or if you accept My conditions, I will give you a child." He came to him and proclaimed His unconditional desire. Abraham heard and believed what he heard. Because he heard God's word, he had faith in God. Abraham helped us better understand the meaning of this verse: "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

We can clearly say that Abraham's faith was not based on what he wanted God to do for him, but rather on God's promises to (1) give him a son, (2) make him a great nation, (3) bless him, (4) make his name great, which is a testimony for us today, (5) make him a great nation, (7) curse those who curse him, and finally (8) cause all the families of the earth to be blessed in him. Thus, Abraham's walk with God was based on the God of promises rather than on his own needs. What he expected from God was the fulfillment of the promises God had placed in his heart.

It is the work of faith in the believer's life. It reminds them of God's promises and inspires them to walk with God and pray to Him to fulfill His promises (His desire) in their lives.

May God's grace and peace be with you all.