Tag Archives: faith

April 3
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“They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.” (Ruth 1:4-5, NIV)

It is hard to imagine a more dire situation than the one described in today’s scripture: Death, young widowhood, exile to a foreign land, and bleak economic prospects. This story of Naomi and her two daughters-in-law doesn’t end there, but it does begin in pain and uncertainty.

(There is more to this story, of course; and I encourage you to read the four short chapters that comprise the book of Ruth for the rest of the story.  Please click here for the full text!)

Despite the dark outlook, Naomi, Ruth, Orpah, and others, nevertheless, persist in the practice of humility, hospitality, and honesty. Although they were not assured of a short-term positive outcome — none of us ever are — they are confident in God. 

As did Naomi and the others, we show our confidence (another word for “faith”) in our heavenly Father by persisting in humility, hospitality, and honesty; especially during times of pain and uncertainty.  – Luther

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February 17
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“Then he said to the man, ‘Hold out your hand.’ So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one!” (Matthew 12:13, NLT)

Oswald Chambers reminds us: “God does not give us overcoming life — He gives us life as we overcome.”

The first task in our partnership with God is obedience. Too often, we say to God, “Show me, and I will go,” when God is saying to us, “Go, and I will show you.” To do the latter is to live by faith in God. To do the former is to live by common sight and human insight alone. 

Today’s scripture illustrates for us the way in which our heavenly Father works — which is the same as it was centuries before in the call of the “father of the faithful” — Abraham (who was previously named Abram): “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.'” (Genesis 12:1)

It each case — including our own in our day — the great work of God begins with our personal commitment through obedience. Stretch out your hand. The overcoming power of God has never been nearer!  – Luther

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January 7
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“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. . .’  So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.” (Genesis 12: 1, 4a, NIV)

The Lord said, “Go. . . and I will show you. . .”  The problem with us often is that we counter God with, “Show me, and I will go.”

This is why Abram (his name was later changed to Abraham) is regarded to this day as the “father of the faithful.”  It is also why we miss-out on the adventure of walking with our heavenly Father.

When God calls, answer.  Where God directs, follow.  What God commands, obey.  All who aspire to be as Abram was must make a conscious decision to “walk by faith, not by sight.”  – Luther

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