Michel: Faith in God’s plan is promise to count on

Published 12:07 am Saturday, May 7, 2016

My granddaughters’ dance classes ended last week with a recital.

It was a busy weekend with a rehearsal on Saturday, then Sunday’s performance. Adeline and Olivia loved every minute, including an early lunch from the concession stand. Later, the girls asked their moms for a snack.

Adeline’s mom, Lauren, grabbed enough money for a couple of bags of M&Ms and took the girls back to the concession stand.

Lauren engaged in a short conversation with another mom, turned back to the girls and was told that she owed $10.

She looked down and saw that the girls had ordered nachos, a hamburger and drinks. She quickly called her sister Monique to ask for more money.

I later laughed at the story while I thought of how secure my granddaughters are in their parents’ ability to provide for them. It’s doubtful that Adeline and Olivia has one second of fear or worry over whether or not Lauren would pay for their order.

I pray that they are just as secure in their Heavenly Father’s ability to provide for them, and His faithfulness to keep His promises.

Lately I’ve been encouraged by the story of Abraham. God promised him that he would be the father of a great nation and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the heavens.

Romans 4: 19-21 records Abraham’s actions while he waited for God’s promise to be fulfilled.

“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead — since he was about a hundred years old — and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.”(Romans 4:19)

He didn’t deny the facts, he just didn’t allow it to determine the boundaries for what he believed God could do.

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.” (Romans 4:20)

Abraham’s faith grew stronger as he stood firm in his belief and worshipped God.

Finally, verse 21 states that he was “fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.”

God did fulfill His promise in Abraham’s life, and his story provides encouragement that can be applied to our lives, too.

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.