Abraham’s Faith – Right Standing With God: Part 1

Published on Sep 11, 2023
Category: Devotion

Romans 4:19-22
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. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”

When you set out on a journey a roadmap or directions is definitely one of the most essential items that are required. As you and I travel this life of faith on this earth, Abraham gives us a roadmap of how to approach the challenges of faith that come our way.

Abraham had faith that was credited to him as righteousness. What exactly set him apart from the rest? He was given a promise, an almost ridiculous promise actually. In Genesis 12, at the age of 75 and childless, God tells him that He will become the father of many nations and that he will have descendants as many as the grains of sand on the seashore, and stars in the sky. Honestly, what would you do in his place? I would definitely not give it any more than a passing thought, and a good laugh!

Romans 4 tells us that Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness, right standing with God! Now don’t all of us believe in God too? What then is it that sets Abraham apart that it was credited to him as righteousness? There are four specific lessons here that we can learn from this great man of faith. We will look at two lessons in this post and two more in the next.

  • V19 says, without weakening in his faith he faced the fact that his body was dead… The fact is, at that age, his body and Sarah’s are as good, as dead as far as childbearing is concerned. And that is obvious, a logical, indisputable fact. We see a realistic and courageous man in Abraham, who was not pretending, avoiding the obvious fact, however contrary to this amazing and ridiculous promise.
    What are some obviously ‘dead’ things in your situation today, which is making it difficult to accept that precious promise God has given you?
  • V20 says, Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God. In spite of the facts being obvious and contrary to human logic, Abraham chose to go against it and believe in God. Simply put, unbelief in God is a belief in something else. Belief in anything or anyone other than God can be very shaky and unreliable. What would be the impact if the foundations of a house or building were not firm and decisive if it wavered? It would fall flat!
    Are you wavering through unbelief in God or belief in anything else today? The impact can be nothing but a fall.

Lord, as I face obvious dead situations in my life today, give me the courage to face facts and yet not waver through unbelief, but simply trust You.

 

Author

Preethi Alice Jacob

Preethi Jacob is the author of the yearlong devotional At the Potter’s Wheel, Day by Day. Her journey includes teaching a Bible Study Fellowship class, teaching and leading the Sunday School ministry in her church, leading Bible studies, besides counselling young women. She serves on the Global Mission Team of the United Bible Societies and lives in Bangalore, India with her husband and two young adult children.

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