Between Faith and Fulfillment
Credit: Getty/PhotoAlto/Eric Audras
When I was a young girl, a relative promised me a sweet treat from the corner store upon her return from an errand. The mere thought set my heart aflutter with anticipation.
As she disappeared around the bend of our street, my spirits lifted. Each step I took was buoyed by the joy of her promise, and my smile was the outward expression of an inner certainty that she would fulfill her word.
The hours stretched long, each one melting into the next. The bright image of candy-colored dreams waned in the daylight. As the clock's hands turned, the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows and a golden hue over my waiting. Anxiousness pricked at the edges of my excitement, yet it never fully punctured the bubble of belief that she would return as promised.
Just as the day began to sigh into the embrace of twilight, there she was—strolling down the street. True to her word, she guided me to the candy store, a wonderland of lollipops and gumdrops. I was the epitome of a joyful child, my waiting rewarded, my faith justified. Although I did not prefer the delay, I never lost the pure, unadulterated trust that her promise to me would be honored.
Childlike Faith
How different our walks with the Lord might be if we could harness that same childlike faith—the unwavering confidence that our Heavenly Father will do exactly as He says, regardless of how circumstances appear. Yet, all too often, when the waiting extends and the dusk of our expectations threatens to settle in, our hearts waver and dance precariously between hope and doubt.
But today, I bring a message of remembrance and encouragement—recall the simplicity of faith you once held as a child. Our Abba Father, our loving Daddy God, beckons us to cling to that innate trust. He asks, "Do you believe My word, no matter the appearance of things?"
The Lord yearns for us to possess steadfast faith, hope, expectation, and anticipation.
How Can I Know?
In the ancient narrative of Genesis 15, we find Abram—later known as Abraham, "The Father of Faith"—in a place of expectancy mixed with uncertainty. Amidst a barren land, with the quietness of an empty home ringing in his ears, Abram was faced with a promise that seemed to defy every aspect of his reality. Before he had any children, the Lord made a covenant with him, promising an heir, numerous descendants, and possession of the Promised Land.
In the stillness of a sacred moment, Abram stood before the Almighty, his heart heavy with hope and hesitation, and said, "Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?" (Genesis 15:8)
Have you ever asked, "God, how can I know You'll do it?"
Like us, Abram longed for reassurance, a tangible sign that the promises whispered into the depths of his spirit would indeed come to pass. And like us, he faced an apparent contradiction; his current reality bore no resemblance to the glorious future God had painted with His words.
So, God commanded Abram to bring a heifer, a goat, a ram, a dove, and a young pigeon. At once, Abram obeyed and prepared these animals for a covenant ritual, symbolizing God's unyielding commitment. But, as Abram prepared the sacrificial animals, he faced a challenge.
Birds of prey descended, threatening to consume the offerings and disrupt the sacred ceremony (Genesis 15:11). Yet, Abram did not stand idly by; he acted and drove away the birds, protecting the sanctity of the covenant.
In our lives, the 'birds of prey' can take many forms: doubt, fear, negativity, or the discouragement that swoops in whispering that the wait is in vain. These birds perch themselves on our shoulders and chirp in our ears, "How can you know God spoke that?" "Why do you still believe after so much time has passed?" "How foolish and naïve can you be?"
These pessimistic thoughts, conflicting ideas, and undermining questions are distractions aimed to snatch away our confidence in God's promises. Like Abram, we must be vigilant, standing firm in faith to protect the covenant. We must actively drive away these intrusions that seek to devour our hope, and rest in the unshakeable covenant of our faithful God who always shows up and keeps His word.
The Space Between
God certainly showed up for Abram.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness enveloped the land, God appeared in a theophany — a visible revelation of the divine — as a smoking firepot and a blazing torch, moving in the space between the pieces of the covenant (Genesis 15:17).
This is so significant.
In the ancient Near East, there existed powerful rituals that breathed life into covenants. One such rite was both profound and somber: the dismembering of animals, their parts laid out in parallel rows to form a path between them. It’s known as “cutting the covenant.”
Those who entered into the covenant would walk this path—the space between the dissected carcasses—calling down a curse upon themselves should they fail to uphold their solemn promises. This act signified a grave pledge: "Should I falter in honoring this covenant, may the fate that befell these creatures also befall me."
Remarkably, in Genesis 15, it is only God who traverses the path between the severed offerings; Abram, whose faith had already been affirmed, does not walk this path. It is God alone who swears by His own name that His promises will be fulfilled. This self-maledictory oath — where God invokes no higher authority than Himself — serves as an unwavering guarantee to His people (Hebrews 6:13–18).
When God Himself stepped into "the space between," He was vowing that nothing would come between Him and the oath He made with Abram; surely His words would come to fruition. This space between the promise given and the promise kept is a testing ground for our faith, where the seeds of doubt often find fertile soil. The space between doesn’t have to be a barren desert, however. Through faith, it becomes a nurturing garden where trust in God's timing blossoms. It morphs into the arena of God's faithfulness, where He shows up, much like He did in Abram's life, to cut a covenant and remind us that He is a covenant keeper.
Here, God invites us to witness the unfolding of His divine plan, to see that the promises He makes are not empty words but sacred assurances. This is where we, like Abram, learn that the Almighty is not just making promises but is actively engaged in bringing them to pass. As you dwell in your own space between, hold on to the truth that God is present in your waiting. He is the God who fills the void, the God who reassures, the God who keeps His covenant.
Always Faithful
When waiting, it’s easy to forget that our God is not bound by our timelines or limited by our circumstances. He speaks life into barrenness, declares victory in the midst of battles, and promises inheritance before there's an heir. When God gave Abram this word, there was no child, no multitude of descendants to walk the land God had designated. Yet, the Lord, who is always faithful, made a covenant.
When God gave Noah a word about a forthcoming flood and the need to build an ark, there was no rain, no sign of the deluge that would cover the earth. Yet, the Lord, who is always faithful, made a covenant (Genesis 6:13-18).
When God gave Joshua a word about the walls of Jericho falling, there was no physical evidence of their impending collapse, no cracks or signs of weakness in their formidable structure. Yet, the Lord, who is always faithful, made a covenant (Joshua 6:1-5).
When God gave David a word about becoming the king of Israel, there was no royal pedigree, no throne awaiting the young shepherd boy from Bethlehem. Yet, the Lord, who is always faithful, made a covenant (1 Samuel 16:12-13).
When God gave Gideon a word about victory over the Midianites, there was no army, no might in the eyes of Israel or Gideon himself to defeat such a vast host. Yet, the Lord, who is always faithful, made a covenant (Judges 6:12-16).
When God gave Mary a word about bearing the Messiah, there was no human father, no conceivable way in the natural for the virgin to conceive a child. Yet, the Lord, who is always faithful, made a covenant (Luke 1:30-35).
“God often gives you a word that completely contradicts your circumstances to test your faith and prove His faithfulness. He’s going to do what He said, friend, no matter what it looks like!”
How God Speaks
Perhaps today you find yourself in a place much like Abram's, Noah’s, Joshua’s, David’s, Gideon’s, and Mary’s—standing between faith and fulfillment, holding onto a promise that seems impossible, staring at a future that feels out of reach. You're not alone. The same God who assured them is assuring you through this devotion. He's the God who declares the end from the beginning, who calls into existence things that do not exist (Romans 4:17).
Know this, friend. God often speaks prophetically into our lives when everything around us seems to scream the opposite. He declares healing when we are still in pain, provision when resources are scarce, and joy when our eyes are filled with tears. He announces peace when chaos surrounds us, strength when weakness takes hold, and victory when defeat seems certain.
He affirms purpose when life feels aimless, belonging when isolation weighs heavy, and renewal when weariness dulls our spirits. He proclaims life when death looms, restoration when ruin appears inevitable, and courage when fear whispers loudly.
And in those moments when our faith wavers, when we, like Abram, ask, "How can I know?"—God is gracious to confirm His word to us.
This is precisely what He’s doing right now through this cup of inspiration, which is why I’m stirring 2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV into your cup as the sweetener, which says, “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, remember that He is the covenant-keeping God, El Shaddai, God Almighty, who fulfills every word He speaks.
If you’re wondering, is God going to heal me? Yes, and Amen. Is God going to make a way for me? Yes, and Amen. Does the victory really belong to me? Yes, and Amen. Will He supply all my needs? Yes, and Amen. Will I live out my true purpose and maximize my God-ordained potential? Yes, and Amen. Will He do the impossible and work a miracle for me? Yes, and Amen.
Friend, God's promises to you are not dependent on your circumstances, your abilities, or the passage of time. So, hold fast to the assurance that what our faithful God has spoken over your life will come to pass.
If you believe it, say Yes, and Amen!
Now, let’s pray.
God, thank You for being a God who keeps His promises. Like Abram, I sometimes struggle to see how Your words will come to pass in my life. Yet, I choose to trust in Your faithfulness and timing. As I wait on You, help me to cling to Your promises, even when my circumstances seem to contradict them, and rest in the assurance that You are a God who cannot lie and One who never fails to fulfill every promise You have made. In Jesus' name, Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
