Thoughts From Pastor Tina

It is amazing to look at the beginning portions of the Old Testament (Genesis and Exodus)—how those who went before us didn’t quite grasp that God would actually do what he said he would do! When reading the story of Abraham and Sarah, we find a couple that God had chosen and blessed. He made many promises to Abraham:

• Genesis 11:2-3, “I will make you into a nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
• Genesis 15:1, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward.”
• Genesis 15:4, “Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’”
  

Abraham questioned God many times, each step of the way, regarding His promises of deliverance, provision and faithfulness. Each time God proved His word and His promises to Abraham and showed that He could be trusted. What a patient God we serve! However, even after showing His faithfulness to Abraham time and time again, Abraham still didn’t trust God enough to deliver on His promise of a son. Abraham and Sarah took that into their own hands! Doubting God, Sarah encouraged Abraham to sleep with a servant and bear a child in that way. God must have been up in Heaven shaking His head. Time and time again he proved His faithfulness to Abraham and Sarah and they still doubted His ability.

The same goes for Moses. God told Moses he was going to use Him to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians (Exodus 6:1). Boom…it happened in some amazing ways – the ten plagues – the passover –the parting of the Red Sea! Then the journey was set before them. God provided manna for them to eat each morning and evening and enough for the Sabbath (after their grumbling and complaints mind you). He even told Moses to keep a piece to show future generations of His faithfulness. But still when times got tough, the Israelites questioned God’s abilities and His faithfulness – even to the point of creating a golden calf to worship. Hello!!! They ignored what the voice and hand of God said and did. Those of little faith!

While reading these passages, it just reminded me that we are sometimes just like Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Aaron and the Israelites. We see God’s hand in our lives and have heard His promises in our heart and yet we seem to forget it very easily when the next trial comes along or when the deepest desires in our heart have not been fulfilled. Where is our faith? Do we not believe God can do the incredible, the impossible, the supernatural? Do we not believe that God knows each of us by name and the number of hair on our head? Do we not believe that God loves us more than the birds of the air or the flowers of the field? Do we not believe our Father cares about us?

So, today, just an encouragement…remember that God knows who you are, He knows exactly what you are facing, He knows the deepest desires of your heart…trust Him! His ways are much greater than our ways! His plans are to prosper us, not harm us (Jeremiah 29:11)! Don’t lean on your own understanding, don’t try to figure it all out, just trust God! (Proverbs 3:5-6). He is a good God! His love for us is a love that we never will experience on earth! Rest in Him and in His love today!

Pastor Tina