Faith for Fuel
All of us who travel while ministering in our services and concerts understand that we are in a time of unparalleled prices at the pump. It is a situation that demands our attention, concern and appropriate actions. None of us like this escalation in the cost of “going into the highways and byways” as our Lord commanded. However, what can we do about it, other than complain?
R. E. Winsett gives us sage advice in the great old standard, “Living by Faith.” Verse one says, “ I care not today what tomorrow may bring, If shadow or sunshine or rain, The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything, And all of my worry is vain.” Now wouldn’t it be great if we simply practiced what we sang instead of feeling like our lives are being dictated by the economy? God said He would supply all our needs; He did not say according to the fuel prices, be it unto us.
Let’s see if God’s Word has an answer for this crisis. In Romans 4:1 we read, “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?” We all know that Abraham is called, “The father of faith” because of his total trust in God that was accounted to him for righteousness. That means he had to go through some challenges with only his trust in God to help him get through it. He, like Jesus, was a man fully acquainted with grief and sorrow.
This scripture tells us Abraham learned some things along the way. Those things are the things I want to remind us of as we are going through some “stuff” in our lives and ministries. Since Paul would state later in verse 12 that we should “walk in his (Abraham’s) steps,” perhaps it would be advantageous for us to learn what he learned, so we can know what he knew.
Remember that Abraham’s biggest crisis was that he and his lovely wife were childless. Pain at the pump may pale by comparison to those who weep beside an empty cradle. This wonderful couple had no offspring, no heir, and no way to perpetuate their lineage. They really needed supernatural intervention. That leads us to the first of his lessons on “Miracle Living”
1) “Nothing happens until you hear from God” (v17). Abraham had to rely on what God said and not the opinions of the local fertility experts. An approximately 100-year-old man and his 90-year-old wife don’t make babies. That is a scientific fact. However, it is not the TRUTH. God’s Truth is always more reliable than mere scientific facts. Remember, it was God who designed the Ark, and it was man who designed the Titanic. Man’s view was the Titanic would sail; God’s view was the Ark couldn’t fail.
The Bible tells us that things that are impossible with man are possible with God. If we are going to be men and women of faith, we must learn that our views are predicated upon God’s Word ALONE. Everything else is merely human opinions or responses to circumstances. The “Thus saith the Lords” and “The Word of the Lord came...” are reminders that when God speaks, we must all listen. Today as we face the economic impact of rising fuel, remember this; God is not nervous. He wants us to trust him when we cannot see a way out of the situation.
2) “Bring your attitudes and behavior in line with God’s Word” (v 18). Isaac was not going to be the Messiah born of a virgin. He would be born by the conventional method of pregnancy. Abraham and Sarah had to put their faith into action and spend intimate time together. That is how babies are made and that is how Isaac was conceived.
Bible faith is actually just acting on God’s Word. Acting like it is totally true. That is why we have the Book of Acts. The disciples and apostles acted as if Jesus was the Savior who had commanded them to go into all the world and preach His Gospel. They didn’t “get off the road” because they could not afford the price of travel. They simply believed that “Jehovah Jireh” was their provider and that He would keep His Word to them, even in tough times.
It is a frequent rebuttal to the message of faith that is used by those who cite the statement by Jesus in Luke 14:28 where He says, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” They incorrectly assume that Jesus is talking about having all the money you need before you start a project. This IS NOT the message of Jesus.
As you read the entire passage beginning at verse 26 through verse 35, you soon discover that each of the examples He uses refers to ONE element: COMMITMENT, not currency. Jesus was teaching the people that unless you are totally committed to His Kingdom, you will not “finish your course.” Verse 33 makes this abundantly clear where He says, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” He is preaching being “sold out” for “the Cause.”
A little known detail about Ananias and Sapphira also adds credence to Jesus’ message of total commitment to “the Cause.” Acts 5 records the details of them selling their property, coming separately to church and lying about the amount they were giving to “the Cause”. They both stated that they were giving all. However, the Holy Spirit revealed to Pastor Peter that they were not and they died in front of the congregation.
This story is about “lying, relying and dying.” The underlying message of this story extends beyond their lying to the Holy Spirit about their money; they had already lied to Him about their commitment to “the Cause.” They were simply not “sold out” to the mission of the Church. They were partially committed and gave a portion of their proceeds to the Church. They could have done this without punishment had they not lied about it. How many times do we tell God we’ll go anywhere or do anything, until we see the prices at the pump rising?
Ananias and Sapphira obviously were not convinced the Church would make it, weren’t convinced they should give all and, therefore, they decided to keep a portion of what they said was God’s for themselves. They wanted something to fall back on; a nest egg or “something in the sock” should this fledgling Church not make it. That, in and of itself, may not be wrong. However, it is VERY wrong when you tell God and the Church that you have held nothing back. This is a post-Pentecost example of Christ’s message of “Total Commitment” in the Luke passage we cited earlier.
Faith does not just go half way. Faith is an, “I Surrender ALL” lifestyle. This is what Abraham discovered and practiced in His walk with God. Abraham did not leave the Ur of the Chaldees with an ETA on Canaan. He had no road map and no resources. There was no “Plan B” for this man of faith. He lived by the concept that I am trying to instill in my precious grandchildren: “If you obey, you will be ok.”
3) “Abraham learned that you cannot allow your circumstances to rule your life” (v 19). The Bible says that he did not focus on the “double-deadness” of their situation. That had to be difficult for him. His procreative abilities were dead, and so was Sarah’s. There was no way they could look at one another and see how God could give them a baby.
What that means to us is that we don’t just stare at the pump while we moan and groan about bankruptcy, liquidation, retiring, cutting back and other fear-inspire thoughts. We should not ignore the problems, but Abraham taught us not to fixate upon them. Are there thorns in life? Yes indeed! However, our “Father of faith” taught us to focus on the roses instead of the thorns.
The roses are God’s Word and His character that have been firmly established long before we came on the scene. Our focus is not OPEC, Exxon, Shell, Valero, fossil fuel or pump prices. Our focus MUST be on God’s Word and His calling upon our lives. By faith in God, see yourself saying to the attendant, “Filler up!” faith understands that God is your source, not singings or sales.
This was brought home to me some years ago as I planned a ministry trip from South Carolina to California. After great consternation and inner turmoil, I boldly declared to the Lord and anyone else within earshot, “I don’t have enough money to get there but I have $85 and that is enough to start.” Space does not allow me to tell you all the miracles God worked for the four of us.
I can state without fear of contradiction that we returned three weeks later from our tour with three brand new tires, great services where God ministered to people’s needs, all expenses paid, and $ 2,000 in my pocket. Before we left on the trip, God did not reveal HOW He would meet our significant needs on a 2,700-mile trip. We simply had to put our faith on the line and trust Him.
4) “Abraham learned that you strengthen your faith with your praise” (v 20). This is a powerful lesson for us if we are going to live a life of victory. Paul tells us in this scripture that Abraham gave glory to God because he was fully persuaded that what God had promised He was able to perform. This is critical for our understanding of the life of faith.
Praise magnifies God and minimizes the problems and circumstances. Praise will keep you thinking God’s thoughts, not the depressing reports of losses, shortages, recessions and failure. Praise will keep you from asking “how” and will keep you focused on “Who” will meet your needs. Praise will help you see that, “With God, all things are possible.”
Go to your Bible and find the accounts of where God used birds to feed a man for over a year; how He parted a sea and a river to accommodate His people’s travel needs; how He flattened the walls of a city that were so wide that the soldiers held chariot races around the top; how He brought water from a rock on two occasions; how He made over three million people’s shoes and clothes last during a forty year trip through the desert, fed them during this forty years, and many more miracles He performed.
That is OUR God who did these things, and He is still doing signs and wonders today for those who will learn to trust Him like Abraham trusted Him. Can we benefit from Abraham’s lessons on miracle living? I firmly believe we can and we must, if we are to continue in our service to the Master. We must not allow fuel costs to drive us out of our ministry callings. If God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, then He also owns the oil that is under those “hills.”
Abraham’s faith paid great dividends for him. Not only did he and Sarah have a beautiful baby boy, Isaac, born to them, but also later, Abraham, the fertility clinic failure, would father six sons by Keturah. Including Ishmael, who was born by Hagar, this made him the father of eight sons before his death. He learned something about God and he learned something about putting actions with his faith. In these days of difficulty, put your total trust in Christ. Then you will also know, “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word, Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.” (Stead and Kirkpatrick).
****A Personal Word to Our Readers from Dr. Frazier****
There are great insights to be derived from the study of the Greek New Testament. Each month I will endeavor to share a nugget of truth from the Book of Truth, God’s Eternal Word.
These will be concise and should not intrude into your time or opportunity to explore the richness of the vein from which they were extracted. That is for you and the Holy Spirit to excavate together. These nuggets are just to let you know where to begin the digging, if you so desire. They are NOT designed to be an exhaustive commentary providing all the answers on the subject. The Spirit will guide you in how deep to dig. Please feel free to share your questions, observations or insights with our readers and me. Website: http://www.donfrazier.com
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Written: 04/01/2008 
Author: Donald Frazier
Category:
Golden Nuggets
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