They Took Him at His Word

Lately I have been reading a lot of missionary biographies. Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, George Muller, and others. There is one common denominator in the lives of these men and women that especially stands out to me, and that is this: They consistently took God at His word. If He said something, they believed, and acted on it. If He promised something, they took it literally and stepped out in faith. Yet even these amazing men and women sometimes grew discouraged or even doubted. I find myself thinking, 'Wait a minute! Look at what God has done for you in the past! Where is your faith? Don't you understand Who He is?'

But hold on. How often am I guilty of the exact same thing? Time and again I allow the cares of this world to turn my gaze from Christ. I become so wrapped up in what is going on around me that I forget Who He is and what He has said. I know from experience how quickly worry drains our joy.

We trust God for our salvation, but what about His other promises? Sure, we quote them, memorize them, and sing about them, but do we really believe them in a deeply practical way? (I will be the first to admit that I don't.) For example:

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

And that's just a drop in the bucket! What would our lives look like if we really took God at His word? "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" (Numbers 23:19) For our Lord to be false is literally inconceivable, and look at what He is freely offering! By His grace, let's take a step of faith and trust that He is who He says He is and able to do all that He says He will do.