A full cup of faith

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 power to do what he had promised.  Romans 4:20-21

I love, love, love this text.  Here’s what I’ve been thinking on:

1.  In the natural sense, Abraham’s circumstance was hopeless.  His body was no longer able to reproduce and Sarah’s womb was dead.  But instead of focusing on his earthly reality, Abraham chose to look upward toward his heavenly possibility.  “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed …” (Romans 4:18)

Abraham’s faith rested in his belief that “God had the power to do what he had promised.” He believed in God’s promise of life over his present reality of death.  He believed that God was able.  Period. 

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” (Tozer)  No matter what your circumstances are in this life, are you convinced that God has the power to fulfill all that He has promised?  Ladies, our God is ABLE!!

2.  “He did not waver through unbelief” means that he was not divided – one part of him believing while the other part full of doubt. But it doesn’t say that he never struggled.  It’s easy, I think, to over-spiritualize the people in the Bible, but the truth is that they were just like you and me.   Abraham didn’t have perfect faith. He stumbled along the way just like we do, but when stories were told, he was marked by his choice to believe. 

Can you imagine the battle that raged in Abraham’s mind?  The enemy was no doubt at work, pouring lies and false accusations into Abraham’s head. (Certainly we can all relate here!)  How many times did Satan tell Abraham, “You’re too old now.  Sarah’s womb is worthless.  You’re a fool for believing.”?  But Abraham fixed his mind on the promise of God and his faith was credited to him as righteousness. (Romans 4: 22)

3.  ” … he was strengthened in his faith”   Over time, Abraham’s faith was strengthened.  Really?  I don’t know about you, but the waiting game usually has a way of torturing me – of wearing me down and revealing the cracks in my faith.  However, it’s the waiting, enduring and persevering that often teaches us to trust in our God who always proves faithful. 

What do you do in seasons of wait?  Does your expectation of Him mount or fade as time goes on?  Just as in the case of Abraham, God has the ability to grow our faith as we wait if we will hold fast to Him.  His promises are certainly worth the wait!

… And that, my friends, is why I love the Bible!!  It ever inspires – ever encourages – ever challenges – ever relates.  God speaks when we open the pages of His Word.  The question is:  Are we really listening?