Abraham believed God. Do you?

“What does scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” Romans 4:3 NIV (also Genesis 15:6)

Have you ever felt that it just wasn’t reasonable to believe something?  Well, Abram (as he was then called) felt that way also.  God had previously directed Abram to leave his homeland and go to a new land that God would show him, and God would make him (his descendants) a great nation.  He acted on God’s promise and left his homeland, but he struggled to see how this could happen.  At 75, Abram was an old man.  He had no children.  His wife was much too old to have children.  He simply could not see how he could have any descendants at all.

God came again to Abram and reassured him that he would give Abram and his wife a son.  God then showed Abram the night sky and told Abram that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars.  Beyond all human reason, Abram chose to believe God, and God credited it to him as righteousness.

His faith would be tested.  It was many years before his child was born.  When Abram was 99, his wife became pregnant, and God gave him a new name, Abraham, the “father of many nations.”  At age 100, he was a father!  God kept His promise.  His covenant made with Abraham to make his offspring a great nation and be their God is the foundation of the Jewish nation.

Romans Chapter 4 goes on to say.

¹⁹ 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. ²⁰ Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹ being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. ²² This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Abraham was counted as righteous because of his faith.  We, too, are credited as righteous when we proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ and accept the gift of salvation.  God tells us we are children of a new covenant – assured of a place in heaven, and while we will have trouble here on earth, our God has overcome the world, and we can be confident in His care.

God keeps His promises.  When God makes us a promise, we can have absolute faith that He will keep it.  Do you believe this?  Has God made a promise to you?  Are you, like Abraham, living in the assurance of that promise?  The Bible gives many explicit promises to those who believe in Christ’s victory over death and sin. Among them are protection from evil, great plans for our lives, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life.  Have you accepted those promises?  Do you live daily in the freedom of being forgiven and righteous before God because of your faith?  Whatever you face today, you can be ‘fully persuaded that God has the power to do what He has promised.’  Rejoice!  Thank God for His forgiveness and promises to you. Be confident that today and every day, He can and will do what He promises in the world and in your life.

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him, the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV (emphasis mine)

AMEN!!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you that You see me as righteous because of my faith in Jesus and His death and resurrection. Thank you for Your many promises to me.  Today is a new day, and I know I will face many problems.  Give me the grace to face them with full confidence that You have overcome the world, and I need not be afraid.  You are a promise-keeping God, and You will be with me today in everything I do.  Help me today to say, “Abraham believed God, and I believe God!!  AMEN to Your promises in my life today and every day.”