Today is Groundhog Day. I certainly hope we don’t replay some days we have had recently! I’ve had enough of 12″ of snow and -7 degree weather. Good thing I don’t believe in old wives’ tales and groundhogs predicting (or is that guessing?) the weather. 🙂

Now on to more serious things: I’ve been thinking about faith vs. presumption. A classic example is found in Exodus 14. The people of Israel found themselves backed up against the Red Sea with the Egyptians coming hard. Despair and blame ruled the day as they shot daggers of accusation at Moses. Moses stood his ground and said, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (13-14 NLT)

Most of us probably know the story. Moses raised his staff. The people walked across on dry ground. (That was faith). The Egyptians planned to do the same and charged head long into the Red Sea and dry ground. (That was presumption). They are swallowed up never to be seen again just as Moses said. 

Faith vs presumption. We often presume God owes us something. We hear it in the name it-claim it hucksters. God owed us N.O.T.H.I.N.G. He offers grace to all and those who want it accept it. But He’s not obligated. Worse is when we presume God will act a certain way just because we “say it.” There’s an old saying: “God said it; I believe it; that settles it.” NO. NO. NO. More accurate is “God said it; that settles it; therefore, I believe it.” What God does is not determined by whether I believe Him or not. His Word is true whether I believe it or not. His ways are right whether I believe it or not. His might and power are evident whether I believe it or not. 

How much better it is to trust and obey.