The Object Not the Quality of Our Faith

Daily Reading: Genesis 26

Scripture Focus: When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he feared to say, “My wife,” thinking, “lest the men of the place should kill me because of Rebekah,” because she was attractive in appearance. (Genesis 26:7)

Devotional Thought: In Genesis 26, God promises Isaac that He would establish through him the oath that he swore to Abraham, Isaac’s father. He would multiply Isaac’s offspring as the stars of heaven and would give the land to his offspring. He also promised that through Isaac’s descendants all the nations of the earth would be blessed.

What amazing promises given to Isaac! And, the Lord delivered these promises to him personally. How is it then that when Isaac settled in the land, one of the first things he did was lie about his relationship to Rebekah? Fear! Because Rebekah was beautiful, he feared that the men in the land would kill him to take her. Sound familiar? Flip back six chapters and you will find Abraham, Isaac’s father, doing the exact same thing!

Why would God choose such fearful men to be the patriarchs?

The Lord chooses the weak and the humble so that when he reveals his glory, there is no doubt that the praise belongs to him. Moses was a great example of this. The entire nation of Israel was weak, fearful, full of doubt and lacking in faith.

Through these examples the Lord has shown us that it is not the quality of our faith that saves us, but rather the object of our faith. During the first Passover, the Israelite firstborn was saved in every household that was obedient to the Lord’s instructions… the families that went to sleep confident in the Lord’s protection, and also the families who couldn’t even sit much less sleep because of their fear. Isn’t that a reassuring thought for us when we struggle with fear and doubt? Trust the One in whom your faith rests, not in your own superior faith. He alone saves!

Jenny

Prayer: Lord, thank you that our salvation is not dependent on how strong our faith is at any point, for we are weak and prone to fearfulness and worry. But you Lord, in your mercy, paid the price once and for all, with the blood covering of the Lamb who was slain!

Psalm of the Day: 9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12 My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the LORD. (Psalms 26:9-12)