
Hebrews 11:8-19
James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
Yesterday we were talking about how Enoch walked faithfully with God. But how are we to walk faithfully with Him? Today’s reading tells of another faithful person in God’s circle. Abraham was considered a friend of God. He didn’t always walk in total step with God, but he always ended back in step with God. That gives us hope, doesn’t it? A failure to be in step is not the last word in our walk with God.
For all that Abraham did right there were plenty of things that he did wrong. Things like lying to a king that his beautiful wife was his sister (technically she was a half-sister but that isn’t the point) hoping that he wouldn’t end up dead so they could have his wife. Oh and he did this not once but twice. Have you ever sinned in the same way twice? So why did God still considered Abraham His friend? The same reason God gives us a second (or third, fourth and fifth) chance – His faithfulness. No, He doesn’t like it that we sin – and neither should we – but God chose us and He is faithful to us.
So what is required of us to be faithful to Him? What does it mean to be faithful? It takes both belief and action. A person can say they are faithful to their spouse but unless they are faithful in their actions they can’t be considered faithful. The same is true for the believer in God. We can’t be faithful to Him if our actions don’t match that statement of faith. If we say that we love God and then act in our own interests alone, it is obvious that we aren’t faithful to God. But God is ever faithful. Never does He say one thing and then do another. And He never acts in a way that isn’t in our best interest. It may not always feel good but it is always for our good.
Back to Abraham. One of the things he knew about being faithful, was obedience. Yes, he messed up sometimes – which of us hasn’t – but when it counted, he was obedient to the extreme, even being willing to kill his precious son because God asked him to. Why would he be willing to go that far? Because he KNEW God – not just knew about Him – but knew Him intimately. He was God’s friend. He knew God was faithful and would never go against His character. It wasn’t about God wanting Isaac dead, it was wanting to be Abraham’s first love. He wants to be our first love too. He is faithful to us, are we faithful to Him?
Making It Personal
Is God your first love? What is the thing that fights for your attention? Are you being faithful?
Making It Personal Kids
What does it mean to be faithful? How does it make you feel to know that God is always faithful to you? Do you want to be faithful to Jesus?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. We know that we don’t deserve it, but You still give it freely. Father, help us be faithful to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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