The Faithful God of Flawed Followers

Have you ever felt as though your faith was insufficient? Like you are weak? Flawed? Incapable? Unimportant? You’re not alone.

Though Abraham was attributed with perfect faith, the biblical narrative of his life certainly reveals that his faith was neither perfect nor strong in any manner – in fact, he seems to have disbelief in a number of different scenarios (Genesis 15:2-3, for example). However, in times of great need and crisis, Abraham always turned to God – choosing to rely on Him with the fullness of his trust. As Hebrews 11:17-19 explains, Abraham had faith in the Lord even when it seemed to make no sense; as he relied fully on the Lord, Abraham discovered that He is completely trustworthy and totally faithful to His word! Therefore, while Abraham’s faith was never strong or perfect, he put the entirety of his faith in a God that proved to be strong, perfect, and faithful – and that is why the Lord counted him as righteous (Genesis 15:6)!

“The key is not the strength or perfection of Abraham’s faith, but the strength and perfection of the God he trusts.”

- Graeme Goldsworthy

This same principle of God’s strength and perfection is displayed in the life of David. As Scripture reveals, this mighty King was no paradigm of perfection and potency; while he might have been a tremendous warrior, we know that he was ultimately a man of tremendous weaknesses (2 Samuel 11). However, despite the pitfalls and stumbling in his life, David relies fully on the restoring power of a faithful God (Psalm 51); in the long run, the king’s trust in the Lord proves wise, as God holds true to the promise of David’s kingship and establishes an everlasting covenant with the Davidic line of Judah (1 Chronicles 17:7-14). This covenant is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ – the eternal King of Kings; God does not fail to establish the everlasting dynasty he promised to an imperfect Hebrew king. While David proved to be weak and imperfect, Yahweh proves himself strong and flawless!

The Lord’s strength and perfection can also be seen in the story of Mary (Luke 1:26-38). Certainly this young Hebrew woman was not perfect in any sense; in fact, she was just another “worthless” person from the backwater town of Nazareth. There was no strength or wonder that stood out about Mary or her faith in Yahweh – but as she put her full trust in the Lord, He proved himself to be a God that keeps promises, even in the impossible (Luke 1:34-38). God upheld the promise he delivered to Mary; though she was a virgin, she gave birth to the Son of God – Immanuel, the redeemer of all humanity! Despite her plain status and “insignificant” stature, the Lord favored her and proved himself strong and perfect, as she trusted completely in Him!

The key is not the strength or perfection of Abraham, David, and Mary, but the strength and perfection of the God in which they trusted! In all three circumstances (despite the flaws of each individual), Yahweh proves himself to be a faithful God of flawlessness and omnipotence.

Believe me, you are not alone in being flawed and weak – such is the nature of man! You are not expected to have perfect faith, for no one does (or can for that matter). Thankfully, we can put our trust in a God that is perfect and able, all the while praying, “Help me overcome my unbelief, and be my all-sustaining strength!"


Photo Credit: NYC.andre / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND