Trusting God

Trusting God

Reading: Romans 1-4

16 This is why the fulfillment of God’s promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God’s promise arrives as pure gift. That’s the only way everyone can be sure to get in on it, those who keep the religious traditions and those who have never heard of them. For Abraham is father of us all. He is not our racial father—that’s reading the story backwards. He is our faith father. (Romans 4:16 MSG) This is the grace of God! Abraham’s story is such a great picture of the grace of God. God chose Abraham, and before he had done anything recorded as good or bad, God made a promise to him. Abraham believed the promise and acted out his belief. The fulfillment of the promise depended then—and depends now—entirely on trusting God and his word and his way, and acting accordingly. I know this sounds simplistic, but I need to think this through over and over again. God didn’t choose me because I’m good. He chose me because he’s good. He didn’t promise me salvation and purpose for life because I deserved it, or even because I looked likely to really make something of it. He promised because he’s good. I simply believe that! I then act in accordance with my belief in his promise and my trust in his goodness. But I’m still no better or worse than anyone else. I’m simply blessed through believing—through confidently, entirely trusting in God. Are we clear on this, friends? Entirely on Trusting God! Will you (again) (today) simply receive the pure gift of his love and grace? Prayer: Father, First, I want to thank you for your amazing grace and undeserved promise and blessing. Thank you so much! Then, I ask you one more time to help me process this into daily thinking and living, so I don’t feel inferior to those who seem to be so much better than I am, or become judgmental towards those who mess up more “visibly” than I seem to do. Thank you! Amen.