Give God a Reason

The Wrap Up

We have been learning about confidence. Trusting in God to take care of us, the situations we walk through and the future are just some of the topics we have covered. 

One thing we haven’t covered is this: can God have confidence in us? 

Can God trust you? 

That is a big question, and frankly it intimidates me. God is a holy God and I have never wanted to disappoint Him, though I have fallen short over and over. 

So what does the Bible say about this? 

Let’s look at the story of Abraham, Isaac and a Contract (read the story here) 

Abraham had been serving the Lord for years. In his old age he was given a son by his wife Sarah, whom they called Isaac. This child was a promised child, a gift in their old age and the beginning of the nation of Israel. Just not yet. 

First God wanted to test Abraham. God was testing Abraham’s love, faith, trust, and his free will. 

God tested Abraham’s love. --- This was prelaw. There were no 10 Commandments yet. There were other idols and gods being worshipped. Abraham was called out of the Chaldeans, known for their worship and veneration of the stars and planets. God needed to know that there was nothing between Abraham and Him: not even a son. Every step he took toward that mountain was walked because Abraham loved the Lord. 

God tested Abraham’s faith. --- After God told Abraham to go sacrifice his son He said “on a mountain I will show you”. This three day trip had to be emotionally excruciating for a father. He prepared everything. He struck out. Crossing desert and closing in on a mountain range. Where would God step in? 

He had to be thinking: ‘Surely God would not kill my boy- the one He promised to me years ago.’ 

When Isaac asked where the sacrifice was, Abraham could only answer, “God will provide”. 

He kept the faith. 

God tested Abraham’s trust in Him. --- He raised the knife. Knowing that if he followed through with it, God would provide a miracle for his son and for him. He determined in his heart to follow through in obedience and for that reason, God stayed Abraham’s hand. Abraham trusted God, and it was counted as righteousness. 

God tested Abraham’s free will. --- At any time Abraham could have said no. God had already promised Abraham a son. God had delivered on that promise. But love, faith, trust, have no power unless they are given of our free will. Abraham chose God over his son, over his doubt, over his pain, over his circumstances. Abraham chose God. 

So what did God do in return? He chose Abraham. 

God provided where there was no provision. He changed Abraham’s mourning into celebration. God honored Abraham’s faithfulness with an even bigger promise. 

The Contract 

And God said to Abraham: 

“I give my word as the Lord that because you did this and didn’t hold back your son, your only son, I will bless you richly and I will give you countless descendants, as many as the stars in the sky and as the grains of sand on the seashore. They will conquer their enemies’ cities. All the nations of the earth will be blessed because of your descendants, because you obeyed me.” 

Just seconds before this, Abraham thought his son would soon be dead. Now, because he chose God, God was choosing him to be the father of a nation. Through this nation, (the 12 tribes of Israel) came Jesus, the Savior of the World, by whom all nations of the earth are blessed. 

Because Abraham chose God, God chose Abraham, and through him began a blood line that would birth the King of Kings. 

So what trial are you going through? What thing has God asked you to do that seem so hard? Think of Abraham and choose well. 

Give God a reason to trust you. 

Have you ever had a test of your faith?


This tandem series on CONFIDENCE is a joint effort between Dana Pittman and Dayna Bickham. Both Dana and Dayna blog about life, grace, and God’s love and plan for you. To follow this series, visit here to learn more.

The 4 Benefits of Being a Believer

My husband has been looking for a new job. After eight years at the same place, he is ready for a change. One of the things he always looks at when he is interviewing for a job is the benefits package. These benefits are the extra “perks” of working for one company versus working for someone else. 

This got me thinking, “Are there benefits to being a believer?” 

You bet ya! 

Benefit #1 

When we are in covenant with God, we have the SECURITY of a  contract with God. 


He signed on the cosmic dotted line with the Blood of His son Jesus, and when you give your heart to Him, your name is entered into the Lamb’s book of life. Contract sealed! So this covenant does have benefits. 

In Genesis 15:1 we see that as believers we receive protection and a great reward. Deuteronomy 28:12 says: “The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.” 

Benefit #2 

When we are faithful to God and to the body of Christ we receive rewards. 

Before David was king, he had an opportunity to kill King Saul in his sleep. 2 Samuel 26:23 says he refused to touch God’s anointed king and because of that God would reward David’s loyalty. 

We are called to be a body of believers that serve one another: to love our neighbors as ourselves and fulfill the law of Christ. This means we need to need to grasp the parable of the hired hands. 

Matthew 20:15-17 sums it up. The 1st shall be last and the last shall be 1st. 

No matter what time you come into the kingdom of God, if you are faithful you will receive the same reward as everyone else. The benefits package is the same for a CEO and the lunch lady. 

Benefit #3 

Our work is not in vain. 

2 Chronicles 15:7 says, “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.” 

The prophet Isaiah said this: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” 

There is work to be done in the Kingdom of God. We have to feed the poor, lay hands on the sick, and serve our community as a witness that God’s love is an active love. 

In Galatians it says do not be weary with well doing, but in due season we will reap the benefits if we don’t give up! 

Benefit #4 

God grants us protection and favor. 

Unmerited favor, also known as God’s grace will follow us all the days of our lives. 

In Esther, we see 2 examples of God’s favor at work. First with Esther herself, who found great favor in the sight of the king and became his wife, and secondly with her uncle Mordecai, who the king remembered and honored, while Mordecai's mortal enemy, Haman, lead him through the city announcing all the wonderful things Mordecai had done. 

In Psalms 23, it says God prepares a table-a veritable feast in the presence of our enemies. 

So our enemies may be the bad economy, or they may be a co-worker trying to get you fired, or it could be an enemy that is not carnal, but spiritual. 

No matter how you look at it, God’s favor on your life is a benefit you cannot scoff at. 

Above all these things though, remember this: 

Do not let your pursuit of God and His Kingdom become a pursuit of blessings in a Thing-dom. 

Matthew 6:33 says seek ye first the Kingdom of God and HIS righteousness and all these things (aka benefits) will be added to you. 

What have I missed? 

Have you got another benefit to share? Share away! The comments are below!