Faith Requires Gratitude
“Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.” - Habakkuk 2:4
Sometimes, it is difficult to believe God for the future because of how we view the past. Our verse contrasts the proud with the person of faith. Those who have been saved by Christ have humbled themselves before God, confessed their sin and depended upon Christ alone for their salvation. The proud see themselves as the source of life and blessing. They do not give thanks to the Lord.
When we move on to the next prayer, the next event, or the next problem without recognizing God’s intervention in our lives, it is a form of pride. Gratitude is the key in moving from pride to faith. Recently, I had an experience that reminded me of this valuable lesson.
I was taking my wife, Pam, to the doctor. She had discovered a lump in her breast and we were driving to the doctor to find out the results of her biopsy. While on our way, she informed me that the doctor had called to tell her that the test was positive. She had cancer. At first, there was shock and then concern for her. But then I found myself getting angry. After all, we had been serving God faithfully. She had already gone through so many physical trials and now this. My anger grew as I realized I might lose her.
After twenty minutes of silent seething, God spoke to my heart. He had given me the sweetest and most wonderful person I have ever known to be my wife for 29 years. She was far more than I ever deserved. Instead of being grateful for the 29 years He gave me, I was feeling entitled to a future with her as well. Only as I was able to give glory to God for the past, was I able to have peace about the future. A key to living by faith is to be grateful to God for the blessings of life.
Prayer
Teach me to give thanks in all things. Help me to be grateful for all your wonderful blessings in my life. In every situation help me to forge ahead in faith because of your faithfulness in my past. Amen
Sometimes, it is difficult to believe God for the future because of how we view the past. Our verse contrasts the proud with the person of faith. Those who have been saved by Christ have humbled themselves before God, confessed their sin and depended upon Christ alone for their salvation. The proud see themselves as the source of life and blessing. They do not give thanks to the Lord.
When we move on to the next prayer, the next event, or the next problem without recognizing God’s intervention in our lives, it is a form of pride. Gratitude is the key in moving from pride to faith. Recently, I had an experience that reminded me of this valuable lesson.
I was taking my wife, Pam, to the doctor. She had discovered a lump in her breast and we were driving to the doctor to find out the results of her biopsy. While on our way, she informed me that the doctor had called to tell her that the test was positive. She had cancer. At first, there was shock and then concern for her. But then I found myself getting angry. After all, we had been serving God faithfully. She had already gone through so many physical trials and now this. My anger grew as I realized I might lose her.
After twenty minutes of silent seething, God spoke to my heart. He had given me the sweetest and most wonderful person I have ever known to be my wife for 29 years. She was far more than I ever deserved. Instead of being grateful for the 29 years He gave me, I was feeling entitled to a future with her as well. Only as I was able to give glory to God for the past, was I able to have peace about the future. A key to living by faith is to be grateful to God for the blessings of life.
Prayer
Teach me to give thanks in all things. Help me to be grateful for all your wonderful blessings in my life. In every situation help me to forge ahead in faith because of your faithfulness in my past. Amen
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