We were having a conversation over coffee at Starbucks. My friend lamented that it was so difficult to live a life of faith. He wished that he could be like Abraham, the apostles and the likes. If he can be like them, then he would be rid of all his trouble of living by faith.

I feel that most people are like my friend; having a too romantic idea about the great people of faith. Their idea is that these people are just born to have faith in God and that it comes easy to them. I do not think so. To understand them better, we must first strip ourselves of all romantic ideas of their walk of faith. It was not easy for them either. We need to recognize that they are as equally human as we are and that they faced the same problem of faith as we do. The main difference is that they learnt and practised to walk their faith.

Abraham learnt to have faith right from the time he obeyed by leaving his homeland to venture out. He gave the better choice to Lot due to his trust in God. Then he faltered by sleeping with his wife’s maid even though God promised him a child by Sarah. He regained his faith in his willingness to give up Isaac. God is faithful and Abraham has learnt this throughout his life. So did all the apostles. Did they not doubt? Why then do we have phrases such as Doubting Thomas?

Brothers and sisters, we all must learn from our daily experience with God that He is faithful and just. We must learn to know Him well. Abraham can trust in God because he knew God very well. Somewhere in his heart he knew that God would not take Isaac. Even if He did, He will provide another. As we walk closer to God every day, we will know God better and we will trust Him more. Prayerfully, one day we will be able to know God so well, just as Jesus did, that we are able to achieve the very things which Jesus has done. How cool it is to make the blind see and the lame walk. Even more so to raise the dead. But that will be for another day.

Meanwhile, let us draw nearer and nearer to God each day. Do not wait till we are in trouble. God is faithful and just. When we seek Him, we will find Him.

God bless!