So much of the Christian life comes down to this simple discipline: Taking God at his word. God speaks to me through the Bible and makes so many precious promises. The question is, will I believe, and will I obey? Will I take God at his word?
If I take 1 day out of every 7 and dedicate to it rest and to worship, will you still provide? Can I have confidence that I don’t need to work 7 days out of the week in order to survive? God says, “Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! Take me at my word” (Luke 12:24).
Have my sins really been forgiven? Am I actually blameless before the righteous Judge of all the universe? God says, “I have delivered you from the domain of darkness and transferred you to the kingdom of my beloved Son, in whom you have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Take me at my word” (Colossians 1:13–14).
If I refuse to succumb to this sexual temptation, if I walk away from the opportunity or refuse to give in to the desire, will you really satisfy? Can you actually satisfy? God says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from me, from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Take me at my word” (James 1:17).
Can God really use this painful situation for my good? Can he really bring beauty from these ashes? God says, “I work together all things for good, for those who are called according to my purpose. Take me at my word” (Romans 8:28).
Is salvation really all of grace? Isn’t there at least something I still need to earn? Isn’t there at least something I need to contribute? God says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Take me at my word” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Do I really need to stop this sin I enjoy so much? It’s such a little one and it brings me such joy. Does it really matter that much? God says, “If you love me you will keep my commandments. Take me at my word” (John 14:15).
Can I actually have confidence that I will not fall away from God? Can I have confidence that I will go to heaven? God says, “Be confident of this very thing, that I who have begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Take me at my word” (Philippians 1:6).
The great enemy of the Christian is the sin of unbelief—the sin of refusing to accept what God says and the sin of refusing to do what God says. The great friend of the Christian is the joy of belief and the joy of obedience. Where is God asking you to simply take him at his word?
