Romans 4:19-25 –  Without being weak in faith, he considered his own body as dead (because he was about 100 years old) and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.  ²⁰ He did not waver in unbelief about the promise of God but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.  ²¹ He was fully convinced that what God promised he was also able to do. ²² So indeed it was credited to Abraham as righteousness.  ²³ But the statement it was credited to him was not written only for Abraham’s sake, ²⁴ but also for our sake, to whom it will be credited, those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.  ²⁵ He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification.

As I listened to the howling wind and rain beating against my window, I continued my praying and reading.  I had a sense of calm knowing the promise and provision of God (Psalm 91).  I was reminded of Paul’s description of Abraham in Romans 4:19-25.  He trusted God.

Abraham considered his age, his physical ability, and Sarah’s.  Considered indicates he evaluated it.  He saw the impossibility in the natural.  God said, ‘You will have a natural-born son.’  The conditions said, “No, you won’t.”

Verse 20 makes a powerful and revelatory statement.  “YET, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, AND being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to do.”

Abraham’s heart was totally God’s.  He trusted God.  That changed his outlook, and he was empowered to look beyond or through the problem to the promise.  He looked from the now to the then.  He did not waver!  We waver!

Abraham did not ignore the problem.   He did not minimize the problem.   It was real, and denial would have led to deception and a loss of confidence in God, and upon fulfillment of the promise, failure to fully give God credit.   It was impossible for him and Sarah, BUT GOD could, and he believed God would.

Romans 5:1-5 is vital.    Justified by grace, we have peace with God.   Tried or proven faith stands.  Abraham’s physical limitations tested His confidence in God’s integrity.  The test developed character.   Character established hope.   Hope banished fear, doubt, and the shame of failure!

God’s promises are certain.  However, we must never forget that He demands our whole heart and obedience.  He’s not our candy store or supermarket.  He is our God and blesses us so that we are transformed and vessels for His purposes.  We can’t live in the flesh and expect to enjoy the benefits of the Spirit.

Read Romans 6 and meditate on it.   A change on the inside produces a change on the outside.  Faith leads to righteousness.  How we live testifies to who we are.  The benefit of salvation is sanctification, which leads to eternal life.    Who are we?

Lord, help us to hear Your voice and reject all negative voices!