God took a chance on Abraham when He said:
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him…” — Genesis 18:19
God was confident that Abraham would remain committed to His ways and would influence his household to do the same.
God also took a chance on Job.
“Hast thou considered my servant Job…?” — Job 1:8
But Satan challenged Job’s loyalty:
“Doth Job fear God for nought?” — Job 1:9
In other words, “Job is serving You because You have blessed him. Remove the protection. Touch what he has. Let life become difficult, and we will see whether he still serves You.”
That raises a serious question for every believer:
Why are you serving God?
Why do you pray?Why do you worship?Why do you come to church?
Is it only because things are working?
Will you still come when the job is gone?Will you still worship when the bills are mounting?Will you still pray when heaven appears silent?Will you still serve when the testimony you expected has not come?
It is easy to shout “God is good!” when everything is good. But sometimes your faith is revealed not by how you behave when God gives you something, but by how you behave when you cannot understand what God is doing.
Some time ago, a man of God made a striking observation:
“When unbelievers have problems, they sometimes run to church looking for God. But when some Christians have problems, instead of holding more tightly to God, they leave the church.”
Pain should not drive you away from God. Pain should drive you deeper into God.
Job lost his possessions. He lost his children. His health was attacked. His wife even told him:
“Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” — Job 2:9
But Job refused to allow his situation to determine his relationship with God.
There is a level of faith that says:
“God, I am not serving You only because of what You give me. I am serving You because of who You are.”
Can God trust you when the answer is delayed?
Can God trust you when you are disappointed?
Can God trust you when everyone else is moving forward and you appear to be standing still?
Can God point to you and say, “Have you considered My servant?”
The greatest testimony may not always be that you received the miracle. Sometimes the testimony is that you remained faithful while waiting for the miracle.
So ask yourself today:
CAN GOD TAKE A CHANCE ON ME?
Can He trust my commitment when life becomes uncomfortable?
May we become believers whose confession is:
“Whether on the mountain or in the valley, whether in abundance or in lack, whether I understand God or not—I WILL STILL SERVE HIM.”
God bless you!
