December 05
In 1981, the rock group Journey had a massive hit called Don’t Stop Believin'. The writer of the song, Jonathan Cain, felt called to music but was struggling, barely making it. On a call with his dad, he wondered aloud if he should just give up. His dad said, “You gotta stay put…Son, don’t stop believing.” The rest is history. Cain wrote the song, Don’t Stop Believin', it was one of their biggest hits of the eighties, and forty plus years later, the song has over one billion streams on Spotify.
Why is the song so popular? Other than the contagious lyrics and melody and thousands of flash mobs, I think we all want to remain optimistic in the face of uncertainty. But many times we have questions. We want to believe but still have doubts.
Why is the song so popular? Other than the contagious lyrics and melody and thousands of flash mobs, I think we all want to remain optimistic in the face of uncertainty. But many times we have questions. We want to believe but still have doubts.
Questions
In Genesis 15, the Lord came to Abram (who will later be given the name Abraham) in a vision and reminded him that his reward would be very great — that He would make Abram into a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and give land to his offspring forever (Genesis 12 and 13). But Abram had questions,“Lord God, what can you give me, since I am childless… you gave me no offspring... how can I know that I will possess [the land] (Genesis 15:2, 3 and 8)?"
What can you give me… how will I know? Those are the same type of questions I ask when I’m uncertain or doubting. In the middle of asking these questions it says in Genesis 15:6:
Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to
Him as righteousness.
In Genesis 15, the Lord came to Abram (who will later be given the name Abraham) in a vision and reminded him that his reward would be very great — that He would make Abram into a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and give land to his offspring forever (Genesis 12 and 13). But Abram had questions,“Lord God, what can you give me, since I am childless… you gave me no offspring... how can I know that I will possess [the land] (Genesis 15:2, 3 and 8)?"
What can you give me… how will I know? Those are the same type of questions I ask when I’m uncertain or doubting. In the middle of asking these questions it says in Genesis 15:6:
Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to
Him as righteousness.
Belief
According to bibleref.com, this is the first time the words “believed” and “righteousness’’ are used in the Bible. This is not, however, the beginning of Abram’s faith. It was a statement about his continuing belief in God. This was not the instant where Abram “finally” came to faith in God. He earlier expressed faith in God — and that faith was the reason he was able to continue trusting God. Even in all his uncertainty and waiting, even with his questions and doubt, Abram believed God. In response, the Lord declared that Abram was righteous in His sight, solely because of his belief.
According to bibleref.com, this is the first time the words “believed” and “righteousness’’ are used in the Bible. This is not, however, the beginning of Abram’s faith. It was a statement about his continuing belief in God. This was not the instant where Abram “finally” came to faith in God. He earlier expressed faith in God — and that faith was the reason he was able to continue trusting God. Even in all his uncertainty and waiting, even with his questions and doubt, Abram believed God. In response, the Lord declared that Abram was righteous in His sight, solely because of his belief.
Even in all his uncertainty and waiting,
even with his questions and doubt, Abram believed God
It took a total of 25 years for the promise of God to Abraham (formally Abram) to be fulfilled. After 15 years of waiting for the promise, God visited Abraham again and assured him that the promise would be fulfilled in due time. It took another 10 years after the reassurance for Abraham and Sarah to give birth to a son.
In our times of uncertainty, waiting, questioning and doubt, we can remind ourselves of God’s promises and His character. And like Abraham, we can choose to believe.
He (Abraham) did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, because he was fully convinced that what He (God) had promised He was also able to perform. Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness.
–Romans 4:20-22
In our times of uncertainty, waiting, questioning and doubt, we can remind ourselves of God’s promises and His character. And like Abraham, we can choose to believe.
He (Abraham) did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, because he was fully convinced that what He (God) had promised He was also able to perform. Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness.
–Romans 4:20-22
Faith // Choose to Believe | Bruce Lane
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