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"For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt....(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.'"
(Romans 4:3, 17-18)
I recently recorded another episode in my "Readings and Homilies in Romans" podcast series. I have enjoyed simply reading a chapter and then making some comments on selected texts. Our theme this week in our devotions is belief or trust in God. Romans 4 has so much to teach us if we are open to reading and listening to God.
In Romans 4:3, the Apostle Paul quotes Genesis 15:6. Abraham, the father of the faithful, was a man of faith. Before he was circumcised, he exhibited this faith and trust in the God who called him to leave his homeland and follow God's will and plan for his life. This Old Testament text answers a question people often ask: how were people saved during the Old Testament timeframe? These Old Testament saints believed God and were saved by faith in Him as we are saved by faith in Him through Jesus our Lord today.
Romans 4:17 says God "gives life to the dead." God brings to life those who are dead spiritually ( Ephesians 2:1). I think there is a reference here to Abraham, who was as good as dead at 100 years of age, but God gave life to him and Sarah in the birth of Isaac, the son of promise. God still gives life. He works miracles on our behalf. We too can walk in faith and God will speak over us "things which do not exist as though they did."
Romans 4:18 says, "who, contrary to hope, in hope believed." When I read about Abraham's faith, I am convicted. When there seemed to be no way, Abraham trusted that God would make a way. When things are contrary or difficult, will you and I still believe? It is easy to become exasperated and throw in the towel, but we should not. Abraham was not perfect, as we read his story in Genesis. He always believed God, but instead of waiting, he grew impatient and tried to help God. He took Hagar as his wife to bring about the son of promise ( Genesis 16), but whenever a person tries to help God instead of trusting God it never--and I mean never--works out well. Why is that? God does not need our help; He only asks that we believe, have faith, and trust Him. Zig Ziglar's comment still speaks volumes and challenges me each time I think of it: "Our faith reaches into the eternal but denies the daily." |
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