Faith That Keeps Standin’
Well, twist my turnip greens, Butterbean, you done git ta’ hurryin’ up an’ come on up here on this here porch with me and be ‘a-mindin’ that there loose board ‘a-fore it done goes an’ flips you flat on your face like a lil’ ol’ pancake on a hot griddle. We’re about to go ‘a-ramblin’ off into a story so doggone rich it’ll make a sleepy lil’ ol’ barn cat go ta’ sittin’ upright and be ‘a-sayin’, “Now hold on a minute here.” Romans 4:20-21 is done ‘a-tellin’ us that ol’ Abraham “did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief” and was “fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” That there truth is a whole lot steadier’n a porch rocker that has done outlived five presidents and two tornadoes.
Now let’s be ‘a-talkin’ ‘bout ol’ Abraham and Sarah, bless their lil’ ol’ seasoned hearts. Genesis 18:11 is ‘a-tellin’ us that they was done real “well advanced in age,” which is the Bible’s polite way of ‘a-sayin’ they was older’n a ol’ grandaddy crawdad that has done outlived three ponds. Sarah had long passed that there age of childbearing, an’ Abraham was ‘a-pushin’ a hundred, ‘a-creakin’ ‘round like an old, rusty porch swing in a big windstorm. Yet God done showed up in Genesis 17:15-17 ‘a-sayin’, “Y’all are gonna have a baby.” That there done sounded ‘bout as likely as a momma cow ‘a-learnin’ her lil’ ol’ baby calf how to tap dance.
But this here is jes’ where the miracle done starts ta’ simmerin’. Hebrews 11:11 tells us that Sarah done eventually believed it. She done judged God real faithful. She was ‘a-trustin’ that there same God who done called ‘em out from Mesopotamia to go to the land of Canaan could be ‘a-bringin’ life right out of a womb that done felt emptier than a lil’ ol’ squirrel’s pantry in March after a long winter. Romans 4:18 is ‘a-sayin’ that Abraham done believed “contrary to hope.” He done was ‘a-lookin’ at his ol’ wrinkled reflection, ‘a-lookin’ at Sarah’s fix ‘a-bein’ 90 years old, and still he done was ‘a-sayin’, “God can do it.” That there is real faith with its steel toed boots on, ‘a-marchin’ straight ahead even when that there trail is done ‘a-lookin’ a whole lot rougher’n a mountain goat path on a dark, rainy day.
Psalm 127:3-5 is ‘a-remindin’ us that children are a real heritage right straight from the Lord. Hannah done knowed the real hurtin’ ache of ‘a-waitin’ in 1 Samuel 1. Sarah done knowed it, too. An’ maybe you, Butterbean, are ‘a-standin’ in your own waitin’ field, ‘a-wonderin’ if God is still done ‘a-rememberin’ your prayer. John Calvin done said, “Hope is the foundation of patience.” An’ patience is where faith is ‘a-sittin’ down, ‘a-kickin’ off its shoes, and ‘a-sayin’, “I’ll be ‘a-trustin’ Him anyway.”
Father, be ‘a-teachin’ us to to be ‘a-trustin’ You while we is ‘a-waitin’ on You. Be ‘a-strengthenin’ our faith like You done for ol’ Abraham and Sarah. Be ‘a-helpin’ us to be judgein’ You to be real faithful in every season. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now as you git ta’ wanderin’ off into this here day like a like a lil’ ol’ raccoon ‘a-tryin’ to be recallin’ where it done went an’ hid its midnight snack, take this here with you an’ be ‘a-keepin’ it tucked in real tight ‘cause God’s promises don’t git ta’ wiltin’ like some o’ them there forgotten garden greens. His timin’ may git ta’ feelin’ slower’n a snail ‘a-ridin’ on a lil’ ol’ box turtle’s back, but His good faithfulness is always gonna be arrivin’ right on time. You’re ‘a-bein’ held by the same good God who done brought laughter to Abraham an’ Sarah’s once-barren tent. So, you gotta be ‘a-keepin’ on ‘a-hopin’, ‘a-keepin’ on ‘a-trustin’, and ‘a-keepin’ on ‘a-standin’ real firm, ‘a-knowin’ He’s real able to be ‘a-performin’ every doggone promise He’s done ever spoken. You can sho’-nuff’ be ‘a-countin’ on it, Butterbean!
With joy,
Gwen
