14 January
VICTORY THROUGH FAITH AND PERSEVERANCE (2)

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

(1 Peter 1:7, KJV)

Abraham received the promised son after a 25-year-long wait. As if that was not enough, as a test, God asked him to sacrifice the same son, Isaac, the one through whom God’s promise would be fulfilled. How perplexing! However, Abraham did not seem perplexed. He obeyed. That is FAITH! He felt it was reasonable to believe that God was able to raise his son back from the dead. Figuratively speaking, God did. God gave him an alternative at the last minute and surely God’s promises were fulfilled in Isaac. Obedience, anchored on faith, brings blessings (Genesis 22).

How are you being tested? Times of testing and trials will come, and probably for you, it has come. The word of God says: “But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). What precious thing is God asking you to give up for Him – time, talent, treasure?

God gave up His only Son, Jesus, so that man can be saved from eternal damnation. Victory comes through faith in God and perseverance. As Corrie Ten Boom said, “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer“. Don’t give up! Don’t jump off! Hold on to the ticket of salvation through Jesus!

ACTION:  Are you beginning to feel that your voice is too low for God to hear and you need to shout as did the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18)? Stir up your faith today and fix your gaze on the faithfulness and omnipotence of the Almighty!

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for your numerous words of blessings to me. My faith looks up to you. Save me, Lord, and I will be saved!