Streams in the Desert - Jul 13

God . . . calls things that are not as though they were. (Romans 4: 17)

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What does this verse mean? It is the very reason why “Abraham in hope believed” (v. 18). That Abraham would become the father of a child at his advanced age seemed absurd and an utter impossibility, yet God called him “the father of many nations” (Gen. 17: 4) long before there was any indication of fulfillment. And Abraham thought of himself as a father, because God had said so. That is genuine faith— believing and declaring what God has said, stepping out on what appears to be thin air and finding solid rock beneath your feet.

Therefore boldly declare what God says you have, and He will accomplish what you believe. You must, however, exhibit genuine faith and trust Him with your entire being.
~from Crumbs

We must be willing to live by faith, not hoping or desiring to live any other way.

We must be willing to have every light around us extinguished, to have every star in the heavens blotted out, and to live with nothing encircling us but darkness and danger. Yes, we must be willing to do all this, if God will only leave within our soul an inner radiance from the pure, bright light that faith has kindled.
~Thomas C. Upham

The moment has come when you must jump from your perch of distrust, leaving the nest of supposed safety behind and trusting the wings of faith. You must be like a young bird beginning to test the air with its untried wings. At first you may feel as though you will fall to the earth. The fledgling may feel the same way, but it does not fall, for its wings provide support. Yet even if its wings do fail, one of its parents will sweep under it, rescuing it on strong wings.

God will rescue you in the same way. Simply trust Him, for His “right hand sustains” (Ps. 18: 35). Do you find yourself asking, “But am I to step out onto nothing?” That is exactly what the bird is seemingly asked to do, yet we know that the air is there and that the air is not nearly as insubstantial as it seems. And you know that the promises of God are there, and they certainly are not insubstantial at all. Do you still respond, “But it seems so unlikely that my poor, helpless soul would be sustained by such strength.” Has God said it will? “Do you mean that my tempted, yielding nature will be victorious in the fight?” Has God said it will? “Do you mean that my timid, trembling heart will find peace?” Has God said it will?

If God has said so, surely you do not want to suggest He has lied! If He has spoken, will He not fulfill it? If He has given you His word— His sure word of promise— do not question it but trust it absolutely. You have His promise, and in fact you have even more— you have Him who confidently speaks the words.

“Yes, I tell you” (Luke 12: 5). Trust Him!
~J. B. Figgis

Reference

Cowman, L. B. E.; Reimann, Jim. Streams in the Desert: 366 Daily Devotional Readings (pp. 270-271). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

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