Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the Father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised.
Romans 4:18-20
Abraham was fully persuaded – period. There was no question at all that he believed God when the odds seemed impossible. God told him that he would be the father of many nations. But Sarah’s womb had been closed for years, and Abraham was old enough to be a grandfather or even a great grandfather! But God spoke and Abraham believed. Sarah, on the other hand, laughed when she heard about it. Sarah even tried to make it happen in someone else’s womb by giving her handmaiden to Abraham. But God promised, and He never breaks His promises. Paul writes in the book of Romans that Abraham was fully persuaded and did not waver in unbelief regarding God’s promise. Then why did he listen to Sarah and agree to try to fulfill the promise another way? Still God saw his heart. Abraham did give in to Sarah and had Ishmael who was not the promised child from Sarah’s womb. But God saw that Abraham still believed.
We all have moments when we doubt what God has told us. We may try to take the matter into our own hands to make the promise happen ourselves and make a mess of things, but God does not give up on us. He wants us to be like Abraham who had some anxious moments, but he was still persuaded. Persuaded for what? Persuaded that he could not make it happen himself, but that God had the power to do what He promised.
What promises have you been waiting on for God to fulfill? Are you fully persuaded that God has the power to do it? You may think it depends on you, but God is able and does not want us to waver in unbelief. James writes that we must not be like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind, but when we ask, we must believe and not doubt. (James 1:6) Are you being blown by the wind, double-minded and unbelieving? God is looking for people who are fully persuaded that He has the power to do all things.
Are you willing to trust Him?
Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for my unbelief. Help me to be fully persuaded that You have the power to do what You have promised. Give me the courage to let go and wait patiently on You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
