by Hazel Straub
Many times things do not go smoothly, when you follow God’s instructions, in faith.
Abraham was told to leave his hometown, everything that was familiar, his extended family and go where God told him, when he was aged seventy-five years. He did this and ended up as a stranger in the land where his descendants would live. He lost his identity to have a new identity. When he was one-hundred years old, he was given his son of promise, Isaac. Later, he was tested and told to sacrifice his only son. He was ready to kill his only son, when God stopped his hand and provided a ram for the sacrifice instead. Abraham believed God and saw God fulfill his promises, even when it looked like nothing would happen.
Moses was told that he would be the deliverer of his people, who were enslaved in Egypt for four-hundred years. He did this his way, while living in the King’s palace. He killed an Egyptian and had to escape to the wilderness, where he lived for forty years. The wilderness was not wasted time, as God taught him to depend on Him, not himself. Then he was ready for his life purpose at age eighty.The wilderness was not wasted time, but got rid of the self-dependence. to being a friend of God, who listened and believed God.. He then lead his people out of Egyptian slavery.
Paul was a well educated man, of power and influence. When he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, his life changed. He brought the good news of Jesus, to the Gentiles. The last part of his life, he ended up in prison and in chains. He was not famous and his life consisted of his closeness to the Lord Jesus. While hidden and in chains he wrote letters to the Romans, Ephesians, Philippi, Colossians, and others. These letters have encouraged and helped many disciples of Jesus grow in their faith for more than two-thousand years. His life was not wasted and his wisdom and Holy Spirit inspired writings encourage us today..
Never, believe that it is over, while you are going through hardship. God is preparing you for much bigger things than you can imagine. Believe him and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. (James 2:23 BSB)
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