Gifted to Believe

Do you believe everything you’re told? If you do, you could be described as gullible or naïve.  After a few now-comical stories – like convincing me he had two hearts – Mr Bill has cured me of gullibility! Having no heir, Abram was fairly certain his natural family-line would end with himself.  God said to Abram, “’Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them … So shall your descendants be.’ Then he [Abram] believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5-6). I agree, what God promised to Abram was pretty unbelievable! Nonetheless, Abram believed God – took Him at His word, trusted God was speaking truth – and simply believed. Abram’s reward was great – an heir and countless descendants; an even greater reward [for Abram’s belief], however, was … righteousness.  It’s pretty easy to believe something when there’s hard proof to establish its truth, but it’s a divine gift to simply believe something … by faith. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8). Faith – to believe, to trust in God – is a gift of God!  A gift of God!  I agree, it’s wise practice to not believe everything you read or hear; we can, however, trust all God has said. If you’re having trouble with that, pray for His gift of faith to believe!