In God We Trust

Abram returns from battle victorious.

One night God speaks to Abram in a vision, calming his fears. (See Genesis chapter 15.)

“Don’t be afraid, Abram,” God says. “I am your shield, your very great reward" (Genesis 15:1; cf. Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalm 3:3)

“O, LORD God, what can you give me”? Abram asks. “Since I have no children, a servant in my own household will surely be my heir.”

“This man will not be your heir,” God assures. “Your heir will indeed come from your own body.” 

 Leading Abram outside, God says. “Look up to the heavens and see if you can count the stars. So shall your offspring be.”

Gazing toward the heavens, noticing the starry host, Abram then puts his trust in God, and it is credited to him as righteousness.   (See Psalm 106:31; Romans 4:3, 9, 22; Galatians 3:6.) 

God also says to Abram, “I brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land," (Genesis 15:7).

But Abram asks again, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I know?” (Genesis 15:8)

We’ll discover God’s answer to this question next time, until then, however, continue through the rest Genesis chapter 15.

But now, we zoom centuries ahead to the New Testament era (in the Bible at John 9) where we see Jesus encouraging a man who was born blind.

After Jesus opens the blind man’s eyes, the man is seen among his Jewish neighbors, the Pharisees, and his own parents. They are all amazed, but still not convinced that Jesus was sent from God.

They ask Jesus about the man born blind, “Who sinned? This man or his parents?”

“Neither,” Jesus answers, “But that the work of God might be performed in him.”

Again and again, the Jews ask the man about Jesus. But the man continually responds, finally answering, “Whether or not He is a sinner, I don’t know. One thing I do know. Once I was blind. Now I see.” (John 9:25)

The argument continues. Finally, the Jews, themselves blinded by their own righteousness and stubborn heart, they put the man born blind out of the synagogue.

Hearing of it, Jesus finds the man and welcomes him. “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” Jesus asks. “You have seen Him. He is the one speaking with you now.” The man born blind then believed [putting his trust in Jesus], and worshiped Him.

Continuing our travel through time, we meet George Boardman, born February 8, 1801, in Livermore, Maine (northeast United States). Ordained a Baptist pastor on February 16, 1825, he marries Sarah Hall on July 4 of the same year. Putting their trust in God, the Boardmans then set sail for Burma (present-day Myanmar) 12 days later.

After some time in Burma, the Boardmans leave the comfort of the mission confines of Mauhnain. Moving to Tavoy, they begin a work among the Karen people, testifying before the Karens the life of Jesus, the Christ (Messiah).

With the Boardmans is a Karen man named Ko Tha Byu. Having received Jesus Christ, through their witness, he is born again, spiritually, to a new life of hope. (See John 3:3-6.) Discovering the real life, and purposeful, he is then a great help to the Boardmans, ministering among his own people.

George Boardman’s service in Burma, as well as his life, is short. He dies on February 11, 1831. 

Before his death, however, 57 Karen people are baptized, confessing their faith in Jesus, turning from their sinful lifestyle; the Karen church in Tavoy totals 70 members. In the years following George Boardman’s death, Ko Tha Byu becomes a zealous evangelist among his people.

God continues His search today for other “George and Sarah Boardmans,” who will also, having put their trust in God, do exploits for His glory and Christ’s Kingdom on earth.

For further reflection: Genesis 15:1-6; John 9; Romans 4; 9:7-8 (cf. John 1:13); Galatians 3:6-9; James 2:14-26

For more on George and Sarah Boardman consider Boardman of Burma: A Biography

Coming next month Satisfaction Guaranteed

God's Delight

 Continued from A Good Neighbor

A Wife for Isaac

Journey back with me in time to the Biblical days Abraham, in particular, we are reading in the Bible at Genesis chapter 24.

At this time Abraham, living in the land of Canaan, is very old and has been greatly blessed by the LORD. Not long ago he buried his wife Sarah, also well advanced in years (see Genesis 23:19). Now, before he dies, Abraham wishes to find a wife for his son Isaac, but he wishes her not to be found among the Canaanites, but among his own relatives.

Abraham calls for his oldest and most trusted servant, Eliezer (see Genesis 15:2-3), and instructs him how to find Isaac a wife. Eliezer promised as Abraham has asked. Then loading up ten of his master’s camels, and with gifts, he travels to Aram-Naharaim (Mesopotamia), where Abraham’s brother Nahor lives.

Eliezer is obedient, as Abraham had instructed. Arriving at Aram-Naharaim, kneeling before God, Eliezer prays that he would know for certain that the woman God sends his way is the choice for Isaac’s wife. God answers even before Eliezer finishes praying, as is His delight in hearing His people pray (see Isaiah 65:24; Jeremiah 29:12; 33:3; Psalm 50:15; 91:15). Rebekah comes with her jug to dwell water from the well.

Speaking with her, and realizing she is God’s choice, as the culture of that day Eliezer “put a ring on her nose and bracelets on her wrists.” And he meets Rebekah’s father Bethuel and brother Laban. He tells his story of how the LORD had answered his prayer. Hearing the story the father and brother give Rebekah to Eliezer to be Isaac’s wife. In showing gratitude Eliezer then gives the relatives gifts of no little expense.

Eliezer remained overnight with Abraham’s relatives. The next morning Eliezer with his men, Rebekah and her nurse and servant girls, returns to his master Abraham, and to find Isaac.

Isaac is seen walking in the fields, meditating when he is found. Rebekah, properly attired, is introduced to him. She becomes Isaac’s wife; Isaac is at last comforted after his mother’s death (see Genesis 24:65-67).

Consider further, read the study guide A Bride for Isaac.

Peter Miraculously Set Free

Fast forward now to the first century A.D., in particular to the year of our Lord A.D. 44. In the Bible, we are reading Acts 12:1-19.

King Herod Agrippa, I is the ruler in Judea. He’s a ruthless man, persecuting believers of the Christian faith.  Seeing the Jewish people pleased in his having the Apostle James killed with a sword, he then has Peter arrested and imprisoned, heavily guarded by four squads of soldiers. Herod Agrippa's intent is to bring Peter to trial the next day after the Jewish Passover. The church, hearing of Peter’s imprisonment, however, prays earnestly for him. And God answers even while they speak, as is His delight in hearing His people pray.

Peter sleeps, “fastened with two chains between two soldiers” (Acts 12:6); other soldiers guard the prison gate. Suddenly a bright light shines in the cell; an angel of the Lord stands before Peter. “Get up,” the angel speaks (Acts 12:7). The chains fall off. Dressed, sandals buckled, Peter walks out, not realizing what is happening. The soldiers are undisturbed and unawakened.

Out of prison, Peter realizes what had just happened: “The Lord sent his angel and saved me from Herod and what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!” (Acts 12:11). He then hurries to the home of Mary, John Mark’s mother, “where many were gathered for prayer” (Acts 12:12). Peter knocks at the door. Rhoda, a servant girl, arriving at the door recognizes Peter’s voice. She is so excited, and before opening the door rushes back to the people. “Peter is standing at the door!” she exclaims (Acts 12:14).

At first, they don’t believe her. Peter continues knocking. When the people finally arrive at the door and opens the door they’re excitedly overjoyed at seeing Peter standing there. Quieting them, Peter shares his story of “how the Lord had led him out of prison” (Acts 12:17).

Consider further, read the study guide James is Martyred, Petet is Set Free.

God Knows the Plans He has For Us

Journey on now further through time to the 13^th Century, in particular to the year of our Lord A.D. 1232. We witness the birth of Raymond Lull (or Ramon Llull) to a wealthy Roman Catholic family of Majorca an island off the coast of Spain.

Perhaps an unlikely candidate to be considered for missionary service, yet he was the first missionary to Muslims. Though married and with children, he had mistresses on the side. In his own testimony he relates, “I lived a life of utter immorality.”

God, however, had other/better plans for Lull, as He does for all of His people (see Jeremiah 29:11), and brought him to repentance and faith through visions. For one, “the Savior hanging on His cross, the blood trickling down from His hands and feet, and brow, look reproachfully at Lull.”

The vision appears a second time and Lull commits his life to Christ, but not without doubts. “How can I,” he said, defiled with impurity, rise and enter a holier life.” And yet a third time, making him conscious of his responsibility toward others, he considers that his missionary call. That, too, is God’s delight – as the Scripture says, “there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”  (Luke 15:7, 3-6, NLT).

In yet another vision God convinces him that he was to evangelize the nomadic Muslim Saracens, and he launches on a nine-year study of the Arabic language. Lull’s missionary focus as Ruth A. Tucker states in her book From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya, “is primarily that of apologetics – to persuade people to accept the Christian faith because it is true.”

Up in his 80’s Lull continues preaching Christ in Islamic Noth Africa, until he is stoned. He passes from this temporary physical realm on board ship in sight of Majorca.

Consider further, read Raymond Lull, Troubadour for God

Coming next month The End of An Era

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