“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” -Romans 4:20-21
In about 36 hours or so (and barring a Florida recount), we will find out who will be leading this country for the next four years. This has dominated phone lines, yards, commercials, conversations, and headlines for weeks. One thing about elections, as it seems to me in my short life, is that they have grown more contentious, heated, and divisive the older I have gotten. It seems that the political lines are drawn and there is rarely crossing of them. People passionately defend ‘their man’ over and over, regardless of anything. We have such faith in ‘our man’ that he will lead us to prosperity, that he will guarantee our freedoms and jobs, and that other people are stupid/fools/morons/idiots/etc if they even think about voting for the other side.
Contrast that with how our trust is in God’s promises. We seem to be prone to frequent doubt. We seem to be prone to waver. Even though the Bible calls us fools/stupid/etc for going against God’s ways, we do it anyways. This is what makes the faith of Abraham stand out so much–its so rare. Abraham grew strong in His faith, believing God’s promises–and its this faith that so greatly pleased God.
In an age where people and politicians regularly break promises, we have a God who never will break His promise. Ever. This should cause our faith to soar and for us to see the unseen, for us the believe the miracle, and for us to expect the unexpected. I want us to be people who have strong faith. We are totally sold on God’s ability to work, on God changing hearts, on God being able to do miraculous things when it appears all hope is lost. Let’s fight the cynicism that can set in when we think “God can’t save/change that person.” Let’s fight the laziness that can set in when we think “It hasn’t happened yet, why will it?”. Let’s fight the against the ‘do-more, pray-less’ attitude that can set in when we think “I’ve just got to do more to change this person.” And let’s walk in faith, trusting that our God (with a better track record than either President Obama or Governor Romney) will do as He has promised.