Romans 4:17-21 – “(As it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.”
This is one of my favorite passages in scripture related to the topic of faith. There are several phrases used which define faith for us and give us snapshots into the life of Abraham, our father of faith.
1. “God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did…” This provides for us a foundation of our faith. Nothing is impossible because God is able to give life to dead things, dead situations, dead dreams, etc. Nothing has to remain dead when God is involved.
2. “…Who contrary to hope, in hope believed…” Faith goes against the odds. When circumstances scream “no hope,” faith still believes.
3. “…He did not consider his own body, already dead…and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.” Faith eliminates the barriers. Abraham’s body was dead as it relates to the ability to produce offspring. Sarah’s womb was not an environment to produce life. Abraham did not allow his thoughts to be influenced or controlled by his circumstances.
4. “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief…” You and I must not allow defeat through unbelief. It is an enemy that must be destroyed.
5. “…Being fully convinced, that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” Are you convinced that God can do it? Are you convinced God will do it? Are you fully convinced? Massage your faith today and feed it through prayer and the word of God. You will not only be strengthened by it (v.20), but you also will see things others will never see.