Mon.s Devo - Hope Leads to Faith

Read: 1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34; Romans 4:13-5:5; Psalm 14:1-7; Proverbs 19:17 When David told Joab to take a census of the people, he not only counted them but recorded their names. This is the account of those who served in the Temple. The gatekeepers, officers of the treasuries, generals and captains and their officers, leaders of the tribes and those in charge of the everyday goings on in the temple were all listed in this reading. Joab refused to name and number the children under 20 because the Lord had promised to make the Israelites as numerous as the stars in heaven and they can’t be counted. Joab never finished counting the people so David never got a total number. In Romans, Paul was explaining faith which is seen in the life of Abraham. He believed in the God who brings the dead back to life. He was referring to Isaac who he was told to sacrifice then God saved him. Abraham knew that God creates new things out of nothing. He had taken Sarah’s barren womb and created a son from it. He had also taken a man and made a nation of him. Abraham hoped when he had no evidence that what he hoped for would happen. He never wavered in believing God’s promise. Abraham’s faith was counted to him as righteous meaning that it saved his soul eternally. He was our example of salvation even before Jesus came and died for our sins. Our salvation gives us peace with God and we can now come boldly before his throne of grace and get mercy and help. When we face trials we are not alone. Our trials help us develop the trust and faith that Abraham had as he waited for God to fulfill his promise of a son. In the end he was not disappointed and we will not be either if we confidently put our hope in God and wait for his results. Lord, strengthen our resolve to keep hope alive in our hearts. May we grow in our endurance and character as we wait on you. You never disappoint.