If you’re anything like me, you’ve been pretty turned off by the “name it and claim it” philosophy. The airwaves are full of voices telling us if we just claim certain promises or send enough money somewhere, wonderful things will come our way. I’m also guessing that many of us know people who were just sure that God had promised them something, only to have a crisis of faith when the “promise” did not come to pass.
I tend to be reactionary against these sorts of things, so I stay far away from them. I don’t want to get embarrassed or put myself out on a limb, so I don’t often claim that God has promised me something.
There are even times that I read scripture and, in my care not to take something out of context, am afraid to claim the promises as my own. Is it wise to make sure we understand context? Yes! A thousand times, yes! Is it wise to make certain we don’t make careless claims on the promises of God? Absolutely!
But I’m also afraid that, in my reaction to the extreme, I might go the other way. Am I afraid to reach out in faith? Am I limiting God by failing to believe what He promised? Am I allowing “impossibilities” to keep me from even asking God for big things and believing Him to do them?
Genesis 21 tells us about the birth of Isaac, that “impossible” child, the one that just couldn’t happen. Both Abraham and Sarah laughed incredulously at the promise – and even tried to help God along by coming up with a solution of their own through the birth of Ishmael. But God stayed firm. Abraham and Sarah would have a son – even though it was impossible. And Genesis 21:1 records the outcome: “The LORD visited Sarah just as he had said he would and did for Sarah what he had promised.”
I love that! My heart stood straight up when I read it. God does what He says He will do. Always! Yes, I should be cautious about making wild claims, but if God has made a promise, I can rest in the fact that, no matter how impossible it may seem, He will come through.
Our God is a God of His word. He is always and forever trustworthy. Abraham finally understood that. Paul says in Romans 4:21, “and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.” And God proved Abraham right…over and over again.
Don’t lose heart, my friend. He will do for you exactly what He has promised.
Originally published in God’s Revivalist. Used by permission.
