In the weeks preparing for Christmas we began by thinking of the world (Creation); then we recalled the rebellion against God's law (the Fall). In this week's theme our minds are focused on the patriarch Abraham, whom God called to initiate His process of restoring the world to its original purpose: "God saw everything he had made and behold it was very good."
Some people might think the mention of Abraham, a figure of ancient days, would not make an impact on life today. Yet Abraham's personal faith in God, his willingness to obey God, and his firm conviction that God's promises prevail are exactly the same qualities essential for believers in restoring God's Creation today. Abraham's faith was far more than intellectual assent, or just saying that God exists, but a believing in God, putting one's whole trust in Him. In the Creed we do not say: "God exists." We say: "We believe in God."
Abraham's amazing faith in offering Isaac, his son, was based on his experience of trusting in a personal faith in God. After all the preparations for a burnt offering, it was natural for Isaac to say to his father: "Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" In replying to the boy, Abraham revealed the amazing depth and hope of his personal faith: "God will provide."
It is remarkable how often we hear believers, passing through critical or threatening moments in life, say the very same words as Abraham did - "God will provide" - and with the same conviction in God's prevailing presence . . . keeping His promises. Jesus, in His mission of restoring the loveliness of God's Kingdom, was brought by the Heavenly Father to Gethsemane. Uppermost in His mind was the awareness of God's prevailing presence, and finding peace in doing God's perfect will.
The prevailing power of the loving God's presence gave Abraham the courage he needed to rely on the words "God will provide" - an example prevalent in the church and in all genuine believers ever since. When travelling through the countryside we can discern local climate patterns by observing the effect of prevailing winds in the slant of branches in the trees. So, in succeeding generations of believers, the effect of God's prevailing presence has been evident all the way.
Current criticisms about church life were swept aside by a saintly 90-year-old believer when he told of his frequent use of words that kept him going: "So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on . . ."
An outstanding example of the prevailing presence of God is to be seen in His unceasing and abundant healing administered by dedicated doctors, surgeons and nurses. They have no doubt that "God will provide" healing. When St Paul's prayer to be healed was not granted he may have doubted the prevailing presence of the Divine Healer until God said to him: "My grace is enough for you: for where there is weakness My power is shown the more completely." He then realised that "God will provide" in His way. His faith in the prevailing presence was enhanced.
One of the saddest things today is that through circumstances so many children are not being made aware of the prevailing presence, and denied the comfort of believing that "God will provide".