This is the work of God...

Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

I think I am greatly comforted that God has work for me to do, and that in its most basic form, that work is to believe in Him. 

Abraham believed the Lord, and it was credited to him as righteousness.  And when he really, really believed, God swore to make his descendants.  Consider Gen 22:12,

Do not lay a hand on the lad, ... now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, you only son, from Me. ... By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son---blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants will possess the gate of their enemies.

The Lord, it seems, was finally convinced and ready to pour out his blessing, with an oath, upon his servant. Does this mean God needed to see evidence of Abraham's faith before doing anything with him?  "Now I know" seems to mean just that.  God, who knows all things, wanted to see the evidence of Abraham's obedience. 

And so, after so many years, I need to simply believe, working out my salvation, that is my assurance and faith in the God who saves me, with fear and trembling, and making sure both my calling and election.  Indeed, overcoming unbelief is the most difficult work of God.  And the Lord who called me to "go and preach the good news to all creation" is still waiting to see if I truly believe.  He knows my heart, sure; "Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest that I love thee".  Yet He ever responds, "Feed my sheep."

Lord, give me faith to go and obey today.  And anoint me with Your Holy Spirit as I go in Jesus' Name. AMEN