Genesis 15:6
Like Abraham our beliefs in the LORD, not our actions, make us right with God.
We can have a right relationship with God by trusting him.
Our outward actions-church attendance, prayer, good deeds-will not by themselves
make us right with God. A right relationship is based on faith-the heartfelt inner confidence
that God is who he says he is and does what he says he will do. Right action will follow naturally as by-products. Abram was looking for confirmation and assurance that he was doing God's will. We also want assurance when we ask for guidance. But we can know for sure that what we are doing is right if we do what the bible says.
If our foundation in the LORD is strong in the day of adversity when it strikes close to home we are able to stand on the promises of a loving and infinite God who is all knowing and wise. Sometimes our tendency is to compromise our faith when adversity gets too overwhelming. We forget that God broke the chains to our old habits. We forget our habits lead us down the wrong road.
Hebrews 11:17
God tested Abraham by seeing if he was willing to sacrifice his own son on the hill. He was willing to do that without hesitation. God knew how obedient is to him. How obedient are we to him when he says to stop giving into the wrong attitudes and motives. Suddenly a lamb appeared. God said stop. Do not harm him. How strong is your faith when adversity is overwhelming and your at the end of your rope ready to give up? How strong is your faith when the enemy tries to steal your joy in the LORD? What if it could be strong in the day of adversity when the LORD comes in the clouds?
Luke 7:1-10
The Roman centurion did not come to Jesus, and he did not expect Jesus to come to him. Just as this officer did not need to be present to have his orders carried out. So Jesus did not need to be present to heal. The centurion's faith was especially amazing because he was a Gentile who had not been brought up to know a Loving God.