Father, as I read in Genesis, am I struck by the "audacious faith" of first Abraham and then Isaac. Abraham expresses this faith when he first followed You and left the land of his ancestors, then when he pleaded for Lot and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, then when he believed You would provide another sacrifice in the place of his son Isaac and continued to obey right up to the point of death. Next we see this same faith in Isaac, when he said (Gen 28:20), "if God will watch over me . . . then the Lord will be my God . . . and all you give me I will give you a tenth."
In Abraham's case, his faith is expressed in absolute certainty that You exist, that You invite him to dialogue with You, to walk with You, to follow Your ways, and he chooses to do just that. His faith propels him to "bargain or wrestle or plead with You," because he knows he can because: a) Abraham acknowledges You exist; and b) believes You invite such seemingly audacious behavior. In Isaac's case he steps out in faith, essentially inviting You, Father, to show up for him, and expresses in advance his commitment to put "his money where his mouth is" when You do "show up."
I am far too reticent with You, Father. I ask that You grow me into audacious faith. Ann
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6 (New American Standard Bible, used by permission.)
