Praying Pint

 

Hebrews 11:11  By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.

Hebrews 11:13-14  These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

 

Our journey of faith is often marked by moments of uncertainty, impatience, and even doubt. The story of Abraham and Sarah serves as a powerful reminder that faith and obedience are deeply intertwined, anchored in the promises of God. This reflection explores how God’s commands are always built upon His promises, and how understanding this relationship can inspire us to trust and obey, even when our faith feels weak.

Every command from God is inseparably linked to a promise. When God calls us to act, He is simultaneously inviting us to trust in the fulfillment of His word. Commands are not burdens imposed without hope; they are invitations to experience the blessings embedded within God’s promises. In other words, the commands of God carry the seeds of His promises, and His promises call forth our obedience.

This dynamic is evident throughout Scripture. For example, when God commanded Abraham to leave his homeland, He also promised to make Abraham a great nation. The act of obedience was inseparable from the trust in God’s promise. Recognizing this relationship helps us see that our response to God is not merely duty, but an act of faith rooted in His faithfulness.

Sarah, often remembered for her laughter and moments of doubt, is portrayed in the book of Hebrews as a woman of faith. Despite her impatience and initial skepticism, Sarah ultimately believed that God would fulfill His promise. Hebrews 11:11 commends her: “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.”

Sarah’s story encourages us that faith does not mean perfection. Like her, we may have seasons of questioning or fear, but what matters is returning to trust in God’s faithfulness. Her journey reassures us that God is patient with our wavering hearts, and He strengthens us to believe and obey.

It is natural to waver in our faith, to become impatient or anxious when God’s promises seem delayed. Abraham and Sarah were not immune to these struggles, and neither are we. Yet, their lives show that faith grows in the soil of God’s promises and commands. When we focus on what God has spoken—both His instructions and assurances—we find strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

• When facing uncertainty, remember that God’s commands are also His promises to sustain and guide you.
• When tempted to doubt, recall the faithfulness of God demonstrated in the lives of Abraham and Sarah.
• Allow moments of impatience to become opportunities to deepen your trust in God’s timing and goodness.

As you read the Bible, keep your eyes open to both God’s commands and promises. Let them work together in your heart to build faith and inspire action. The realization that every divine command is built upon a divine promise transforms how we approach obedience. It is not a burden, but a pathway to experiencing God’s faithfulness.

If you find yourself wavering in faith, remember that you are in good company. Bring your doubts and questions before God, trusting that He is able to strengthen your faith, just as He did for Sarah. Obedience becomes possible when we rely on God’s promises, and faith grows when we step out in response to His commands.

Faith and obedience are not separate pursuits; they are two sides of the same coin. By understanding that every command of God is rooted in a promise, we discover the courage to trust and the strength to obey.

 

 

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Hebrews 11:6  And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:8-9  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.

 

2 Peter 1:5-9  For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

A simple reflection reveals that human beings are inherently constructed to require the persistent exercise of firm and resolute self-government, self-discernment, self-controlled. We harbor within ourselves a variety of desires and appetites—some deeply rooted in our physical nature, others entirely legitimate and wholesome. However, when these desires are allowed to become the ruling force of life, or when they are gratified with no limits or boundaries, the result is inevitably destructive. Our blind passions are not designed to take the lead over reason; rather, if reason is the eye, then its role is to guide these passions, not be led by them. To live “by nature,” often a euphemism for giving free rein to the basest instincts, is to be governed by the worst parts of ourselves and is a sure path to ruin.

The Inner Struggle: Desire Versus Reason

A closer look within reveals a tumultuous crowd of appetites, clamoring for attention like newborn kittens—blind, yet demanding to be fed. Alongside these urges, however, there is an inner voice that pronounces moral judgment: “You shall, you shall not; you ought, you ought not.” This internal witness makes it clear that we are meant to suppress and restrain these blind impulses, placing over them a will that cannot be bribed, a reason that cannot be fooled, and a conscience that remains true to God. Self-mastery is essential; without it, life falls into chaos.

The Limits of Human Resolve

Yet, the exhortation to “govern yourselves” can ring hollow for those who find themselves unable to do so. Many experience the pain of being unable to rule over their own passions, sometimes crying out in desperation, “Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” It is futile to urge a dethroned monarch to govern when his kingdom is in full revolt and he commands no loyal forces. As Bishop Butler observed, “If conscience had power, as it has authority, it would govern the world.” Authority without power is meaningless; conscience may proclaim what is right, but if willpower has been weakened or manipulated, and desires have taken control, disaster is imminent.

The True Source of Self-Mastery

There is, however, a solution that offers a guarantee of success: entrusting oneself to Jesus Christ. When we ask Christ to govern us, He provides the strength necessary for true self-control. This spiritual partnership enables us to achieve the greatest victory a person can attain—the mastery of oneself. As a wise moralist once said, “Every man is a king, and crowns himself when he puts on his own hat.” Real sovereignty begins within; one must first be master within one’s own soul. The paradox is that in order to be truly master of oneself, one must become the servant of Him who alone can empower us for this task.

Transformation Through Faith

In Christ, even the most timid individual can become courageous in struggle, the weakest can be made strong, and the most self-absorbed heart can be opened to love, peace, and joy. The wildest inner rebellion can be subdued. By approaching Him, trusting Him with our lives, and maintaining genuine communion with Him—while patiently practicing the gifts He bestows—He will reassure us: “Fear not! My strength is made perfect in weakness.” His love ignites a reciprocal flame within us, so that the one who brought peace to a raging maniac can also grant us authority over our own inner trials. Thus, the flesh becomes the servant of a spirit set free.

 

 

Psalm 141:3-4  Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;
keep watch over the door of my lips!
Do not let my heart incline to any evil,
to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with men who work iniquity,
and let me not eat of their delicacies!

James 1:19-20.  Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God

Romans 8:13   For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

1 Coronthians 9:24-25  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. 

 

Proverbs 25:28  A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

1Peter 4:7  The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

Mark 9:43-48    And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’

1 Corintians 10:13      No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

 

Malachi 1:8-14  When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts. And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the LORD of hosts. Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts. But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD. Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

 

There was no question as to what God required in sacrificial animals. They had to be without spot or blemish. He expected His people to offer the choicest animals from their herds or flocks. God wants the best.

But what were the Israelites doing? They were offering blind, lame and sick animals. The choice animals would bring a high price in the market, or would be desirable for breeding. So the people offered the culls, saying in effect, “Anything is good enough for the Lord.”

Before we look down on the Israelites with shock and scorn, we should ponder whether we twentieth century Christians might also be dishonoring God by failing to give Him the best.

We spend our lives building a fortune, trying to make a name for ourselves, living in a status home in suburbia, enjoying the finer things, then give God the fag end of a burned-out life. Our finest talents go to business and the professions, and the Lord gets our spare evenings or weekends.

We raise our children for the world, encouraging them to make a lot of money, marry well, and own a prestigious home with all the modern conveniences. We never hold the work of the Lord before them as a desirable way in which they should spend their lives. The mission field is all right for other people’s children, but not for ours.

We spend our money on expensive cars, recreational vehicles, sailing boats, and high class sports equipment, then give a paltry dollar or two to the work of the Lord. We wear expensive clothes, then get a feeling of euphoria when we donate our cast-offs to the Salvation Army.

What we are saying, in effect, is that anything is good enough for the Lord, but that we want the best for ourselves. And the Lord is saying to us, “Go, and offer it to the President. See if he would be pleased with it.” The President would be insulted. Well, so is the Lord. Why should we treat Him in a way we would not think of treating the President?

God wants the best. He deserves the best. Let us determine with all sincerity that He will have our best. (Tozer)

 

 

2Corinthians 1:4  who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Hosea 6:1  “Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.

 

The Lord Jesus is not going to break’ anything in our lives that does not require breaking. But that of the old which remains unbroken, which we seek to hold back from the processing of His nail-pierced hands, will continually leaven and spoil our attempts to feed others.

“How often we have murmured under trial only to see later the preparation of the Lord Jesus of our hearts that we might be His ministers of comfort in an hour of need in the life of another (2 Cor. 1:4). Afflictions, therefore, many times are the advance token of the Father that we are being prepared for a special ministry of comfort to others. This is a principle seen throughout the Word. All that would be used of the Father in the hands of the Lord Jesus to meet the needs of the hungry-hearted must first be made a blessing by Him. This involves being broken in His hands. This process is necessary because of our tendency to think more of working for the Lord Jesus than becoming a channel for the outflowing of heavenly bread to broken hearts on every side.” -H.R.

“Others come to us in their deep need, and, with our hearts breaking, we are called upon to give out of our emptiness and loss what we seem to need ourselves. We are asked to claim victory’ for others in distress, when it seems that we are in greater distress than they. Thus it was at Calvary! He who had loosed others from bondage was given up, as it appeared, to the full rage of the murderous enemy. He who had done the mighty works of God for others, lay in impotence and weakness in the hands of men. Yes, this is the Cross. Life, power, blessing, deliverance for others – and nothing for thyself, but to lie in the will of the Father, and accept from His hand all that He pleases to permit to come upon thee.” (Stanford)

 

Psalms 94:14     “For the LORD will not cast off His people, neither will He forsake His inheritance.”

No, nor will He cast even so much as one of them. Man has his castoffs, but God has none; for His choice is unchangeable, and His love is everlasting. None can find out a single person whom God has forsaken after having revealed Himself savingly to him.

This grand truth is mentioned in the psalm to cheer the heart of the afflicted. The LORD chastens His own; but He never forsakes them. The result of the double work of the law and the rod is our instruction, and the fruit of that instruction is a quieting of spirit, a sobriety of mind, out of which comes rest. The ungodly are let alone till the pit is dug into which they will fall and be taken; but the godly are sent to school to be prepared for their glorious destiny hereafter. Judgment will return and finish its work upon the rebels, but it will equally return to vindicate the sincere and godly. Hence we may bear the rod of chastisement with calm submission; it means not anger, but love.

God may chasten and correct,
But He never can neglect;
May in faithfulness reprove,
But He ne’er can cease to love. (Spurgeon)

 

Romans 8:28    We know that for those who love God, that is, for those who are called according to His purpose, all things are working together for good. 

Go back to the place where, for the time being, the Lord has put you, where He has called you to live your life and do your work in all the trial and difficulty and suffering of it, and do not strain to get out of it. Do not lose the present value of it by always living mentally or hopefully in a time when you will be out of it, but go back there and recognize that if you are the Lord’s, if you love God and are called according to purpose (as you are if you are in Christ), God is seeking to do something with you and in you by means of the conditions of your present situation. You will only defeat God’s end if you try to get out and will fail to recognize and accept what He is seeking to do. I can think of few things more regrettable and grievous than that we should look back upon any part of our life and have to say, “I might have realized some great purpose of God in that period of my life if only I had taken another attitude toward it than the one I did take; I was chafing, impatient, all the time looking for a way of escape; I was rebellious, living in another mental world of my own creating, in which I would do and be this and that; and I missed all that God intended at that time.” I say, there can be few things more grievous than that.

So we must go back to the sphere and conditions in which the Lord has placed us, with this attitude – God has a thought which relates to me as one of His Own; and that thought is, that through the conditions and sufferings of my life He should develop in me the features of His Son. On the one hand, the features of the old creation may be seen to be more and more terrible and horrible, as I recognize them in myself; but over against that God is doing something which is other than myself, not me at all. He is bringing into being Another, altogether other, and that is His Son. Slowly, all too slowly; nevertheless something is happening. That sonship is not very much manifested yet, but it is going to be manifested. What God has been doing will come out into the light eventually – conformity to the image of His Son; “that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” So we look out upon the people of God on the earth amongst whom we are included, and we have to adjust our ideas as to why we are here. There may be things to do, but God is far more concerned with the being than with the doing, and we have to learn all over again what service is. (Austin-Sparks)

 

Psalms118:8-9  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

Psalms 40:4    Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!

Psalms 62:8-9    Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Jeremiah 17:5-7    Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.

Psalms 118:5  Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.

 

We often assume that, had we lived during the time of Jesus, we would have responded differently—perhaps more faithfully—because we could witness His miracles firsthand and listen to His teachings in person. It’s understandable to feel this way. Yet, the reality is that the challenges to faith and openness to God’s truth remain just as present today as they were then. Our circumstances may change, but the struggle to recognize and follow God’s call is timeless.

 

The history of the nation of Israel and its relationship to the coming of Jesus Christ is a profound narrative within the Christian tradition. Often seen as the people best prepared to recognize and receive the Messiah, Israel’s response to Jesus has been a subject of theological reflection and debate. Let’s examine the readiness of Israel, the nature of their rejection of Jesus, and the implications for Christians today, emphasizing the dangers of self-righteousness and misplaced blame.

Israel’s Unique Preparation and Calling

The children of Abraham were set apart through an everlasting covenant with God. As a chosen people, Israel received the Law, the prophets, and countless signs pointing toward the coming of the Christ. Their spiritual heritage was rich with promise and expectation, making them uniquely equipped to identify the Messiah when He appeared. The anticipation of a deliverer was woven into the very fabric of their identity, and their scriptures foretold the advent of a Savior.

The Tragic Rejection of Jesus

Despite this preparation, when Jesus came to His own, He was not recognized as Lord and Messiah. This event is often described as the greatest moral failure in human history. Jesus openly taught about relying solely on the resources of God—a radical call that proved too challenging for many. For the multitude, the cost of discipleship seemed overwhelming, and so they turned away. The reasons for this rejection are complex, involving spiritual blindness, cultural expectations, and the human tendency to cling to tradition rather than embrace transformative truth.

The Christian Tendency Toward Blame

It is tempting for some Christians to look back and criticize Israel’s response, finding comfort in the notion that they themselves would have acted differently. This attitude can foster a sense of superiority and self-righteousness, ignoring the reality that Christians possess spiritual resources and revelations that were not available to the Jews of Jesus’ time. Such blame-shifting is not only unhelpful but also spiritually dangerous, as it distracts from self-examination and humility.

Lessons for Today’s Believers

The rejection of Jesus by His own people should serve as a cautionary tale, not a source of comfort or pride. Christians are called to reflect on their own openness to God’s truth and to guard against the same spirit of resistance that led to Israel’s rejection of the Messiah. As Jesus warned, rebuilding the “sepulchers of our fathers” by focusing on the failures of others rather than our own spiritual condition is a grave mistake.

Instead, believers must embrace humility, acknowledging that spiritual readiness is not guaranteed by heritage or knowledge alone. The call of Christ remains radical and demanding, requiring a willingness to trust in God and to respond in genuine faith. Rather than belaboring the shortcomings of Israel, Christians should seek to learn from them, striving to avoid complacency and self-justification.

Conclusion

The story of Israel’s preparation and subsequent rejection of Jesus is both sobering and instructive. It highlights the dangers of assuming spiritual privilege and the necessity of personal faith and humility. Christians are wise to resist the temptation to blame others and instead focus on their own readiness to receive and follow Christ. In doing so, they honor the lessons of history and move closer to the heart of the gospel. (Tozer)