A Faith Forged in Fire!

Adrian Rogers is credited with saying, "A faith that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted." The Bible expresses a similar idea in Proverbs 24:10 – "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small" (The New Living Translation says, "If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small"). There are some things in life all "normal" people want tested before we are willing to trust them! Bridges, for instance – especially long ones! If you’ve ever crossed the Pontchartrain Causeway outside New Orleans you know what I mean. The Causeway is comprised of two parallel bridges just shy of 24 miles long, supported by 9,500 concrete pilings. Toward the middle you lose sight of land, causing some to experience the sensation of driving on a highway across the ocean! I crossed it with my wife Donna back about 2007 but she didn’t trust it! Besides bridges, we also want to know planes we fly in have withstood rigorous testing. Other things we want tested include foods we buy in the store & consume ... water we drink from the tap ... gold we purchase in our jewelry, and on and on and on. Nowadays we take for granted these things have been tested and found safe. And how about pharmacists and, even more, doctors & surgeons? I read about a man on the operating table who was extremely nervous and worried about his surgery. The anesthesia was about to be given. His doctor said, "It seems to me you are very tense about this procedure." The patient replied, "Yes," This is my first time I’ve ever undergone surgery." The doctor sought to calm him, but failed miserably when he responded, "I understand. This is the first time I’ve ever performed surgery, so I’m a little nervous myself." We become fearful and even angry if we learn something we consider vital and necessary to the health of our bodies and safety of our lives has not been tested. Why? Because our physical safety and well-being depends upon being able trust them.

The apostle Paul challenges us to think about the quality of our faith in a similar way in Romans 5:3-4. After summarizing the tremendous standing that is ours through faith in Jesus Christ in verses 1 and 2, the apostle quickly moves to write these words: "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." A beautiful necklace of spiritual diamonds is described in that passage – but when we hear that string of words, we are tempted to blurt out: "Say what, Paul? Glory in tribulations? Boast in our burdens? Be happy when we hurt? Rejoice when we run into problems and trials? How can we possibly do that?" Based on this passage, the apostle would say back to us, "I’m not talking about a flimsy, thin faith you can’t trust. I’m talking about a faith that’s been tested – a faith you can trust to keep your spiritual safety and well-being secure." Someone observed that  faith that can't be trusted to get you out of bed and to worship on Sunday can't be trusted to get you to heaven. Steel must be forged if fire to have temper. The heat is hot, but it is productive because of what it does to the metal. In a similar way, life sometimes puts the heat on us. But the heat of life's troubles can forge a faith that can be trusted in life and in death, if we let it. Can your faith be trusted? It can if it has been forged in fire.

                                – Dan Gulley, Smithville, TN

Gen 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Gen 17:1  And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.  It was full thirteen years of silence from God after the birth of Ishmael. When Genesis 17 opens, Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah 90. The wait for the promised seed was deferred for another 13 years. It was the price Abraham and Sarah paid for rushing God. God first statement to Abraham after 13 years was a reproof to this great man of faith: “I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect” (v.1). I am the Almighty God – The Hebrew is “I am El - Shaddai.” “EL” is the generic name of God. The origin and meaning of "Shaddai" are obscure. The common ones are destroyer, mountain, and sufficient. El Shaddai is commonly translated as God almighty - like a mountain and a destroyer. Knowing that God is El Shaddai matters because it reminds us that He is our mighty God, and like Him there is no other. It is one reason it is the first thing that God spoke to Abraham after a thirteen years silence – to remind him that He is the God almighty and nothing is impossible for Him. Thirteen years ago, Abraham and Sarah thought they were too old to have a child. Sarah is now way passed the child bearing age; she is an old woman. God is telling Abraham: “Abraham, I am the God almighty. Nothing is impossible for me. Trust me - Sarah will bear a son.” That Abraham and Sarah being so far stricken in age, God’s power in this matter is even more magnified. Walk before me – Abraham and Sarah were walking ahead of God when they thought to fulfil God’s promise the human way. Abraham needed to be like his ancestor Enoch: “Enoch walked with God” (Genesis 5:24). Enoch was not the only person who walked with God. His great-grandson Noah too “walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). How did Noah walk with God? Genesis 6:22 answers: “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” To walk with God is to walk in obedience to His commandments. What else are involved when we walk with God? To answer the question, consider how two persons are walking together. In our culture, we say when a man and a woman are in courtship they are walking together. Our parents will at times ask: “Daughter, you have been walking with this man for three years, when are you two getting married?” What do they do when they are walking together? Do they do their own things – he is playing games in his handphone and she is watching a video in hers? I don’t think so! They will be talking, laughing, listening, eating, and sharing their hearts. Their attention is focused on each other to the exclusion of almost everything else. They are enjoying each other’s company. One who walks with God will enjoy His company. Do you enjoy being in the presence of God? “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1). Be thou perfect – Abraham’s faith is not perfect. God says Abraham needs to walk before Him to be perfect. God is not referring to sinless perfection but a faith that is matured. Question: Are we perfect? Yes, God make us perfect in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 5:10). How can we continue to walk perfectly in Christ? By the word of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). The word of God can make us perfect. But that is only true when we obey it. Noah’s perfection comes from doing all that God has commanded him. Likewise, the word of God is of no use if we do not obey its commands. Our God is the God almighty; let us walk before Him and be perfect.

Gen 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

 

Have you ever asked why of all the families of this earth, God chose the family of Abraham to be His chosen people? The answer is found in today’s text. God said of Abraham: “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment” (v.19). Abraham not only will follow God, he will “command” his children to do the same. God’s scheme of redeeming men needed a race that was faithful to Him. The word “command” is a strong word. It indicates authority. Abraham will not only teach his family the way of God, he will also command his household to follow in the ways of righteousness and truth. In today’s term, it means he will not allow his children any excuse to miss Sunday worship. A child may say: “I’m tired. I finished my project till 3 in the morning. I can’t go for worship.” Abraham will say: “No. You attend church. You come back after worship to catch up your sleep.” Another child may say: “I have exams tomorrow. I need to study.” Abraham will say: “No. You attend church and do your study when you come back.” Another child may say: “I have training this morning.” Abraham will say: “No. You will go for your training after worship.” Abraham leads his family in righteousness and truth. He does not let his children lead him. God chose Abraham because He knew Abraham would command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord. Abraham did not have the Bible to guide him. His unwritten Bible was the tradition he observed from his forefathers. Recall that when Isaac was going with his father to the mount of sacrifice, he noticed that, although the fire and wood were carried, they had no lamb for a burnt offering: “And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father…..Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” (Genesis 22:7). Isaac did not have the Bible. How did he know about the lamb required to offer a sacrifice to God? Obviously, when he was young and when he saw his father offering a sacrifice, he would be asking what he was doing. Abraham would explain it to him. This tradition passed on for generations until the Law was given where it was recorded down with greater details. What they knew about God, they passed it down orally to their children. God had talked to Abraham. Abraham just knew Jehovah is the only God he and his family should serve. He led them to the same God. Fathers, today you have the written word of God. Are you studying the Bible and teaching it to your children? Are you commanding your children to walk in the way of the Lord or are you giving them a choice? Many children of Christian parents go back to the world because of the lack of spiritual training at home. In many homes, there is no spiritual training given and no holy example set. Parents leave it to the church to impart religious knowledge to their children. Fathers, Sunday-school teaching should supplement, not replace, home training. The command to bring up faithful children is given to fathers and not to elders or preachers: “And, ye fathers, …. but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Fathers, are you commanding your children in the way of the Lord? Are you nurturing them in the admonition of the Lord? Abraham is an example for all fathers: LEAD your children in the way of the LORD!

Gen 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

Two angels came to Sodom. Lot, who was sitting at the gate of Sodom, saw them, and insisted they must come to his house for food and shelter. The homosexual men of Sodom, receiving news that two strangers were abiding in Lot’s house, came demanding Lot released the men to them. Their depraved minds were thinking of having homosexual sex with them. Lot offered them his two virgin daughters instead. Furious, the men said they would deal worse with Lot than with his two guests (v.9). They were intending to rape Lot too. They then rushed up to force their way into the house (v.1-9). All this time Lot was standing outside the door talking to those men. The angels pulled him into the house, shut the door and then struck the men blind so they could not find the door. They told Lot they were going to destroy the city and asked Lot and his family to flee the city immediately. Lot talked to his sons-in-law. They thought he was crazy (v.10-14). As morning dawned, the angels hastened Lot to flee. But, “Lot lingered.” The angels then took Lot, his wife, and two daughters by the hand, and hurried them out of the city (v.11-16). To linger is to stay in a place longer than necessary because of a reluctance to leave. Lot was reluctant to leave Sodom. Lot knew the sinful condition of that awful city. He knew its destruction was minutes away. He saw the angels standing at the door waiting for him. Still, Lot was hesitant about leaving Sodom. Lot lingered in Sodom in spite of knowing the danger. Why did Lot linger in Sodom? Why didn’t he want to leave that dangerous place immediately? We can think of many reasons why Lot was hesitant about leaving Sodom. But what is more important to us is that another judgment is coming to all men: “And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). All men will die. After death is the judgment. Every man will stand before God to be judged (2 Corinthians 5:10). This judgment has only two outcomes – whether one goes to heaven or to hell. The truth of the matter is: Many know about the judgment. And, another truth is: Every man lingers on their decision about making a decision to go to heaven or to hell. Here are some examples: 1. The sinners know about their sinful state and their eternal damnation but they linger on their decision to leave their sinful lifestyle: “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:32). They know the judgment of God but they linger in repentance. 2. Many know what they must do to go to heaven but they linger on their decision to make the good confession of faith in Jesus and be baptised to have their sins washed away: “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28).   3. Many profess they love Jesus but they linger in their decision to serve Him: “And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house” (Luke 9:61). They linger in this world of sin instead of busy themselves in the kingdom of God (Matthew 13:22). If God had not been merciful to Lot, he would have perished with the rest of the citizens of Sodom. If God had not been merciful to us, our lingering would have been our ruin. Every day that we have is God’s grace given to us, calling us to stop our lingering and come to Him: “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15). Stop lingering in this world of sin and decide today to follow Jesus.

Gen 20:2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

In Genesis 20, we see an old sin repeated. Abraham’s pilgrimage took him to Gerar (v.1). Abraham said of his wife Sarah: “She is my sister”. Thinking she was not married, “Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah” (v.2). About twenty years ago, Abraham made the same statement in Egypt resulting in the Pharaoh of Egypt taking Sarah into his palace (Genesis 12:13-15). What are the lessons we can learn from this chapter? 1. The Devil will never stop trying. It’s hard to lay aside one’s besetting sin. When an alcoholic becomes a Christian, the devil will try all means to lure him back to the bottle. He will do it to anyone – the drug addict, the liar, the wife cheater, the gambler, the sex addict, the thief, etc. Even after they have become Christians, the devil will try again to get them back to their former sins (1 Peter 5:8). 2. Don’t Judge. Abraham did injustice to the people of Gerar. He thought: “Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake” (v.11). An acronym for FEAR is, False Evidence Appearing Real. Abraham’s fear arose from his assumption that the people of Gerar were morally corrupt. Aren’t we the same at times? We judge people we don’t even know. Our Lord says: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). 3. Even the best of men can fail. Abraham is an example of faith. He is the father of faith to all who have faith (Romans 4:16). But, great men like Noah, Abraham, David and Peter can trip and fall. It tells us one thing: Don’t follow men; Follow God: “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1). 4. True Repentance. When Abimelech knew the truth about Sarah and Abraham, he restored her to her husband (v.14). If one has stolen a car, repentance means he returns the car to its rightful owner. If he has stolen someone’s wife, repentance means he restores her back to her lawful husband. The irony is, many agree that the thief must return the car but the adulterer needs not return the wife. They argue her former husband doesn’t want her anymore; he has divorced her. But God’s word says it is still adultery: “Whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery” (Luke 16:18). Remember the warning from God to Abimelech: “If thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine” (v.7). 5. God is Just. Abimelech said to God: “In the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this” (v.5). He didn’t know Sarah was Abraham’s wife. God pardoned his sin. Our God is a just God. He does not wish for anyone to perish: “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye” (Ezekiel 18:32). God’s longsuffering is pleading for all men to repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:9). If men are lost, they are lost because they have rejected the grace of God (John 3:16, 17). If it is possible for a man of faith like Abraham to relapse into sin, it is possible for us too. Let us take heed lest we fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Gen 21:3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.

In Genesis 21 we see joy and pain – joy for one woman and pain for another. The wait is finally over; Isaac is finally born in fulfilment of the promise. The child brings joy and laughter to Abraham and Sarah and therefore he is named Isaac which means laughter. But the birth of Isaac brings sadness to Hagar and Ishmael. For 13 years, Ishmael has been the sole heir, the apple of his father’s eyes, and the hope of his father’s dreams. But now he is set aside in favour of this newcomer Isaac (v.9, 10). Sarah has endured the mocking look from Hagar for too long (Genesis 16:4). At the feast held for the weaning of Isaac, she has her revenge. She says to Abraham: “Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac” (v.10). Abraham is plunged from the heights of joy to the depths of grief. Abraham loves Ishmael. Ishmael is every bit his flesh and blood. Ishmael by this time should be about 15 or 16 years old. They have spent many happy hours together - watching over the flocks and playing together. But now Sarah is insisting that Hagar and Ishmael must go. Abraham is heart-broken. He is in a dilemma (v.1-11). God comforts Abraham and says He will bless Ishmael and make him also a great nation because he is his seed (v.12-13). With God’s blessing, Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away. From a human perspective, it seems unfair to Hagar and Ishmael. Hagar did not have a choice in the matter of conceiving Ishmael with Abraham. Ishmael is just an innocent kid; a victim of the sin of Abraham and Sarah. We feel a sense of injustice for them. So why did God take Sarah’s side? God’s reason is this: “For in Isaac shall thy seed be called” (v.12). The entire scheme of redemption rests on the promised seed that will eventually bring forth the Messiah (Matthew 1:1). God, in His infinite knowledge, has chosen Isaac through whom His blessings would flow to all nations (Galatians 4:28). Like Jacob and Esau, these two brothers cannot dwell together, their descendants intermarrying one another and blur the bloodline that should bring forth the Christ. In Galatians 4:21-31, Paul uses the story of Sarah and Hagar to illustrate the results of two different covenants. Ishmael’s birth is by natural means; the human way. Isaac’s birth is by the power of faith in God’s promise. That faith becomes an example to us that we should always put our trust in the promises of God and walk by faith: “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7). The story of Abraham and Sarah and Hagar tells us that God can work through any situation. Sarah should have never suggested to her husband to sleep with her maid Hagar. And Abraham should not have followed through with the plan and slept with Hagar. Furthermore, Sarah was wrong to hate Hagar and her son when they were victims of her plan. The house was in a mess because of one foolish suggestion. Still, God’s will was accomplished regardless of human frailty. God did not have a hand in Sarah’s plan. He did not cause Sarah to make the proposal. Nor did He make Abraham to listen to Sarah. Everyone acted on their free choice. Satan will always try to thwart God’s plan and prevent the Messiah from coming to this earth. But, as Jesus said: “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18b). The devil cannot defeat God’s plan. Sarah was working for the devil when she suggested Abraham took Hagar. God used the same situation to His advantage (Galatians 4:21-31). God always wins.

Gen 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

Genesis 22 is the victory of faith: “God did tempt Abraham” (v.1). This is not a temptation to lure one to commit sin; God will never do that (James 1:13). Satan will tempt one to sin but not God. The word “tempt’ originally means to try, to prove, to put to the test.

God tests Abraham’s unreserved obedience to His will. It is not that God does not know; God knows Abraham will pass the test. But we don’t know. The test was not so much a test to produce faith, as it was a test to reveal faith. God is here showing us why Abraham is the father of faith to all who have faith. The test is to convince us and not God. After reading Genesis 22, everyone will agree that Abraham was really the man the Scripture describes him to be – his faith is unsurpassed.

For many years Abraham waited for the promised son to be born. Now that this son had grown into a young boy, the word of God came to him to offer up this very son for a burnt-offering. Abraham could not understand why God wanted to take away Isaac from him. He did not question God. He obeyed as instructed by God. It was faith at its best.

God is showing us that faith is not something that is impossible for men to achieve. He is telling us that Abraham had it. And God is saying that’s the kind of faith that pleases Him: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

How would we react if God asks us to do such a thing? Thanks be to God; He has not asked such a sacrifice from us. What He wants is us. As parents, we know that giving ourselves is much easier than giving away our children. Therefore, God wants us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

Again, thanks be to God; what He is asking is a living sacrifice and not a dead one. God does not want us to die; He wants us to live for Him. Which is easier: to die now or to live for Jesus? Obviously, unless you are on your death bed, you will choose to live for Jesus than to die.

A living sacrifice is a life given to God. It is a life of service and commitment. It is a life exemplified by the apostle Paul: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Paul lived for Jesus. His life was dedicated to serve Jesus. He served Him to the end: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

God did not allow Abraham to sacrifice his son. He spared Abraham the worst agony a parent can suffer. But yet, God did not withhold His own son (Jesus Christ) but delivered Him up for us all (Romans 5:8; 8:32). Some might ask: “Why would God do such a thing?” The answer is found in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

God spared Abraham’s son but not His own Son. He also spared our sons. He didn’t test our faith like He tested Abraham’s. If He had; would we pass the test? Think about it!