"Transformed by Faith"
Day 8
Today's Reading: Genesis 15-16, Joshua 15-16, 1 Chron 8, Isaiah 15-16, Daniel 3, Job 8, Psalms 15-16, Matthew 8, Acts 13-14
Today’s reading brings an awe-inspiring theme of transformation by faith. As Abraham believes in God's promise of a unilateral covenant. God credits his faith unto him as righteousness. Similarly, all men from every nation can be justified by faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Genesis 15:4 Now the word of the Lord came to him: “This one will not be your heir; instead, one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “Your offspring will be that numerous.” 6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Our transformation is not one of self-righteousness and keeping the law, but rather one based solely on a promise from God. A promise that we can trust in because of the resurrection of Christ from the dead. God is sure to keep His Word. As a guarantee, He fills us with the presence of His Holy Spirit and great joy!
Matthew 8:23 As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves—but Jesus kept sleeping. 25 So the disciples came and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” 26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!”
With this faith we can have great boldness! As the three Hebrews boys faced the fiery flames, we can trust in God and face the storms of life with no fear. We can take refuge in the presence of the Father knowing He will protect us. We can take great joy in that God has brought us into the covenant of Abraham and we have been reborn into the promise given to the patriarch of faith.
Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
Prayer: Gracious Father, thank you for the grace you have bestowed upon your people of faith. In faith, you have granted us the forgiveness of our sins and an inheritance of eternal life. We ourselves do not deserve it and could never earned it. Only because of your good pleasure have you decided to give it to us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. You are worthy of all honor, praise, worship, and glory in Jesus name, Amen.
Did this post bless you? What questions do you have about faith? Do you have a question about what it means to follow Christ?