Thought from today’s Bible reading from Romans 4-7.
Paul used the example of Abraham to teach us a lesson about faith in God and His promises. Abraham was promised a son. And though it was improbable – even nearly impossible – he believed what the Lord told him.
“In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 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 perform. Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:18-22).
Earlier in the chapter, Paul also wrote, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3). God was pleased with Abraham’s trust in Him.
Yet it is important to note that Abraham was not one who naively believed just anything that he was told. Some people are gullible and will believe anything that someone else tells them, even if it is not true. Although it was highly improbable that Abraham would have a son in his old age, he did not believe God simply because he liked the thought of having a son. The text says he “contemplated his own body, now as good as dead” and was “fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.”
Why was “faith…credited to Abraham as righteousness” (Romans 4:9)?
- He carefully considered his circumstances (the old age of both himself and his wife).
- He believed the promise that he would have a son, though not naively (notice the next point).
- He considered the one who made the promise (God) and how He was able to do what He had promised him.
Faith is not believing in God’s promises simply because we want to think that they are true. Faith is believing in God’s promises because we know God is able to do what He has said.
Tomorrow’s reading: Romans 8-10
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
