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 him saith, he faced the fact that his body 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. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Romans 4:18-22
What causes your faith to waver? What circumstances are beyond your control? Do you have disappointments in life or health or financial issues that seem insurmountable? God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, yet he and his wife were childless and Sarai was beyond the child-bearing years. Paul writes that Abraham did not waver in his belief regarding the promise of God and that he was fully persuaded that God would fulfill His promise. His faith credited him with righteousness. If God told me at hundred years old that I was going to have a child, I think I would fail the test of unwavering faith! I would think that perhaps He was talking about adoption, or I would be like Sarai and laugh. One thing is for certain, I would not give my handmaiden to my husband in order to have a child!! And besides, the last time I looked, I didn’t have any handmaidens.
Although those things sound preposterous to me, there are other ways that I have disregarded God’s promises or tried to take things into my own hands to make them happen. Take, for example, my desire for my son to marry a godly woman. The Lord has made it clear in His Word that He will protect and watch out for my children, but that has not stopped me from trying to pick out his wife! Paul, by using Abraham’s faith as an example to us, shows us that God will credit us with righteousness when we believe in Jesus Christ, and He will fulfill His promises to us when we have the faith to believe.
What promises do you doubt that the Lord will fulfill? Are you willing to believe and put your hope in His fulfillment of them?
Heavenly Father,
Your Word is filled with promises. You have promised to never forsake me and to fulfill all of Your promises. Why do I try so hard to make things happen? Why do I feel as though You are not going to answer my prayers? Help me to be like Abraham, who believed You when You said that You would make him the father of many nations. It seemed like an impossible promise, but You are the God of the impossible!
In Jesus’ name, Amen
