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In approaching a stoplight we trust that when our light is green the cars approaching from the opposite direction will stop. We trust when we turn left across traffic at a green arrow light that the oncoming traffic will stop. We trust when we turn on the light switch in our home that the lights will turn on and burn brightly. In all of these instances we are trusting in something that we cannot see until an action is taken. For the majority of us these are everyday occurences and the truth factor is not difficult. The word trust can also be exchanged for the word, faith.

According to God's word a christian is encouraged to live by faith. We read in 2 Corinthians 5:7 in the New International Version, "We live by faith, not by sight." In all honesty living by faith is not always easy. Although we are God's creation we still may desire to see a glimpse of the future. In fact most of us desire God to lay out a step by step plan before us to see a detailed map for the future. Yet, if this was God's way of doing things we would also be able to see a detailed plan of our suffering and triails in this world. In knowing the future it may take away the unexpected moments of joy in our life and we may live in fear of the future.

In looking at the life of Abraham in the Old Testament scriptures we find a man who's faith was sporadic at times. Yet, the majority of the time he lived by faith. God promised him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. This required his wife Sarah to birth a child at an old age. Although Abraham and Sarah stepped in and tried to jump ahead of God's plan and not live by faith, God honored them with a child. Abraham's descendants did become as numerous as the stars in the sky, just as God promised. As Abraham, we sometimes waver in our faith when what God has promised does not arrive according to our own personal time table. If we step off the path of faith, God will allow us back on the path if we turn and make a decision to live his way and not our own.

Remember many times God will give us a vision or a dream, but in this our responsibility is to stay in step with the spirit. Many times our desire is to move faster to get to the end of the vision and see it in action. Yet, God's desire is to transform our life in the midst of it all. Most importantly of all he is interested in our obedience every step of the way,.

For example, there was God's promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: "I will certainly bless you richly, and I will multiply your descendants into countless millions." Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. Hebrews 6:13-15.

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Mercy and not Sacrifice (Sept. 30, 2010)