We are past our Expiration Date

Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Hebrews 11:12, ” Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude – innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. “

Background

I have a friend who is a tad obsessive about expiration dates. When the gallon of milk still has a day or two left before it expires, it’s no good in her book. If the dozen eggs have not been used up by the time the date arrives, out they go, regardless of how many are left. And you can forget about her eating any yogurt whose date is fast approaching. In her mind, these foods are simply not good to eat. That date stamped on the carton or the jug seems to have transformative powers when it comes to the edible nature of dairy products in her home. The good dairy never gets to turn bad because even the good dairy is as good as bad before it actually is bad, if you know what I mean. You and I may be a tad bit more reasonable (although I know some of you will totally agree with my friend!) concerning expiration dates and food, but we can tend to lean towards the other extreme in a different area of our life. And that concerns our faith.

Application

By its nature, faith depends on something beyond ourselves. To believe in something or hope for something requires conviction of the unknown. We must take hold of that which we cannot control. But we are very uncomfortable with that. We do not want to accept that we have long since passed our expiration date. On the contrary, we consider ourselves completely good and able to do whatever we envision, considering ourselves as good as new. But it’s just that mindset that handcuffs our faith. For the God of our faith is intent on using us when we see ourselves as good as dead. It was no oversight in His schedule that God blessed Abraham and Sarah only after they were well beyond child-bearing age. When they were as good as dead, then they were good enough for Him. And that’s what He wants from us. He wants us to see that completely empty and dependent is just what He’s looking for. He wants us to realize that our expiration date was long ago, and the only good within us is what He brings to us and does through us.

Charge

As we seek Him today, ask God to help your faith become less about the one who believes and more about the One you believe in.