A PATH TO STRONGER FAITH
Romans 4:19-20 NKJV
19 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. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,
This chapter is recounting the faith of Abraham. Abraham was called the father of our faith because he believed God’s promise to him without any works on his part. If you read the chapter again, you’ll see that Abraham had faith in God before he received the sign of circumcision. Paul is making the case for righteousness, being in right standing with God, based on faith, not works or circumcision.
In our verses for today, we find an important key to stronger faith. Abraham is still the example, and this was the instance of him believing God concerning his son. Abraham received the promise of God that he would have a son from Sarah, although Sarah had never been able to have children. And when Abraham received the promise, he was about one hundred years old, and his days of fathering children appeared to be over from a purely observational standpoint. But God gave Abraham a promise, and here is what Abraham did.
Abraham did not consider the inabilities of his own body and the fact that Sarah had never been able to have children. The Scripture does not say Abraham was in denial. He simply considered God’s promise as bigger than the natural deficiencies he was facing. Abraham was not stopped by what he and Sarah were dealing with physically.
The phrase “he did not waver” could also be rendered as he did not separate. Abraham did not separate himself from God’s promise through unbelief. But he was strengthened in his faith as he gave glory to God. I have always seen this as this promise was held out to Abraham, and he latched onto it. Abraham did not let go of God’s promise by refusing to believe, but instead, he strengthened his grip by giving glory to God. I can see Abraham just praising God as he looked at the stars, believing one day, his descendants would be as numerous as the heavenly lights. Abraham was giving glory to God by praising and thanking God before he ever saw signs of Sarah being pregnant. And because Abraham held onto God’s promises, they came to pass in his life, and he and Sarah had a baby boy, Issac, when Abraham was one hundred and Sarah ninety.
APPLICATION
We may not be facing as challenging a situation as having a baby when we are past ninety. And frankly, I am glad that promise is not on the table for Joy and me. I think she would faint. But we all have challenging situations that require us to be strong in our faith. It could be healing, or freedom from mental anguish, or wisdom for a daunting situation. We live in a dark, fallen world. But we are able to overcome this dark world by our faith in God.
So, the path to us having stronger faith is like Abraham’s path. We have to consider God’s word for our situation as more powerful than what we can observe or feel. And we give God praise and thanks for what He has said and promised before we see or feel any change. This may seem to be an oversimplified remedy, but the principles are the same as Abraham used thousands of years ago. God has not changed. And trusting Him has not changed. Abraham gave us a great pattern to follow, and we also look to Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith today. Our faith can become stronger.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You that I do have faith in You and Your word to me. My faith in You is growing stronger as I give You praise, glory, and thanks.