“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward will be very great’.
But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless,
and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’
And Abram said,
‘Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.’
And behold, the word of the LORD came to him:
‘This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir’.
And he brought him outside and said,
‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.”
So shall your offspring be’.
And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness”.
Genesis 15:1-6 (bolding mine)

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Circumstances — they can sure trip us up. It would have been easy for Abram to be discouraged. It would have been easy to misinterpret his circumstances. It would have been easy for him to think that his circumstances were the only true thing.

I get that. I’ve been there. Hmmm, truth be told, I’m there right now. But Abram’s story challenges and offers courage.

Genesis 15:6 says, “And he believed the LORD,” Abram believed what he heard from God. Abram needed to first listen to God; then there was the choice. He chose belief.

In my time with God, I listen to His truth … but do I take the step of belief? My current circumstances offer me that choice.

Paul testifies to Abram’s belief.

“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 (italics mine)

I too want to be fully convinced of God’s promises to me.

The author of Hebrews challenges me.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace …”
Hebrews 4:16
“So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear …”
Hebrews 13:6

“God is a compassionate God… God is a God who has chosen to be God with-us… By calling God Emmanuel, we recognize God’s commitment…” Henri J.M. Nouwen

David offers the key to growing in being fully convinced — reminding myself of God’s love.

“By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,”
Psalm 42:8

I’m learning it’s imperative that I’m always listening to God’s love for me and interpreting my circumstances through that lens.

The key to Connecting with and trusting God is listening to God.

Do you notice all the truth in “C” words that offer me the choice in my circumstances?

Convinced, confidence, confidently, compassionate, chosen, commitment,  commands, connection.

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Listening connects me to the character of God. And His character is love.
Listening is the key to trusting His love.
Circumstances are my opportunity for listening to and trusting God.

Listen — my word for 2023.
Isaiah 55:3 — my verse for 2023.

“Incline your ear (listen diligently), and come to me:
hear, that your soul may live;”
Isaiah 55:3

Copyright: Sue Tell, January 2023