Believe in the promises…

Our ward goal for January 2014 is to study about faith.  One of the great stories about faith is Abraham being commanded to sacrifice his son Isaac.  I’ve always admired Abraham for his faithfulness and also been very troubled by the story.  Why would God use that situation to prove Abraham’s faithfulness?  I’m sure he could have chosen another way.  Regardless of the answer to that question, I’ve learned something about Abraham that has impressed me even more than I was already impressed with him.  Abraham had received a promise, that among other things, his posterity would number the sands of the sea and the stars in the heavens.  All blessings being predicated upon obedience, he also knew that he would keep every commandment that God would ever give him.  So how could he rationally think that he could keep the commandment to not take the life of another and keep the commandment to sacrifice his son, while still believing that the promise that his posterity would be infinite?  The answer comes from Hebrews 11:17-19,

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting (or “considering” according to the Joseph Smith Translation) that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead. (emphasis added)

You see, Abraham had so much faith in the promise that was given to him and in the commandment to sacrifice his son, that he knew God could help him do both.  He assumed, even though he was wrong, that God would bring Isaac back to life if he followed through with the sacrifice.  God provided another way, but it’s still amazing to see Abraham’s thought process here.

President Spencer W. Kimball put it this way,

Abraham was now called upon to sacrifice this beloved son who as yet had no posterity.  But with faith supreme, Abraham: “…offered up Isaac…accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead.”  Knowing that God would make no capricious nor unnecessary demands, that the lad could be raised even from death if necessary, Abraham obeyed.  (General Conference October 1954)

We need to follow Abraham’s example and believe in the promises of God.  This is the essence of faith.  To believe in a promise that cannot be seen, but one knows to be true.

What other promises can we rely on?

Fasting – Is not this the fast that I have chose? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? – Isaiah 58:6

Tithing – Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground. – Malachi 3:10-11

Book of Mormon – And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. – Moroni 10:4

Marion G. Romney on Book of Mormon – I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity – the pure love of Christ – will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness. – General Conference April 1980.

Eternal marriage – If a man marry a wife by my word,…by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise…shall come forth in the first resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions…and if ye abide in my covenant,…[ye] shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever. – Doctrine and Covenants 132:19

Prayer – If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. – James 1:5

Jesus Christ – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. – John 3:16

There are hundreds more that we could add to the list.

Elder Jay E. Jensen gave a wonderful conference address when he was first called the quorum of the seventy entitled, “Remember Also The Promises“.  It’s a great read and gives some of his favorite promises from the scriptures and a great exercise for your scripture study.

Go ahead, come up with your own list of promises that God has made to you.  Use the scriptures, use the words of the prophets and certainly don’t forget your patriarchal blessing.  I’m confident that your faith will increase as you see all that has been promised to you.

David-An Average Man