“In hope [Abraham] believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:18-21

I was reading this passage yesterday, and it struck something deep within me. I thought about Abraham’s situation: Old. Old wife. No children. And a promise. A seemingly impossible promise.

I think about times people have promised me things. And whether I believe that they will follow through on that promise is based on one of two things:  

1. How easy the promise is to fulfill.
2. How trustworthy the person is making the promise.

If someone promises to do something easy or something that doesn’t require much effort on their part, it’s more likely you can believe in their promise. But if the person who makes the promise is trustworthy, it doesn’t matter how big or small the promise is. You can believe in their promise because of who they are, not what they’re promising. 

Abraham’s faith in the promise he received was based on who promised it. It didn’t matter that it seemed improbable, or even impossible. He didn’t dwell on the circumstances surrounding the promise. He believed in the promise because God was the one who made it. 

“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”

Abraham was fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. This is what hit me deep in my soul. As I read this, I thought about my own life. How often am I fully convinced that God will follow through on his promises to me? 

Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

Deuteronomy 31:8

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Psalm 32:8

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 37:23-24

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

Matthew 11:28-29

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

(All emphasis added by me)

This is just scratching the surface of the promises God has made. But do I really believe them? Am I fully convinced they are true? Do I look at my circumstances first, and then decide if they are really worth believing based on that circumstance? 

Thinking through these questions challenged and humbled me. These questions brought awareness to the fact that too often, I only believe in the promise if it’s an easy promise to fulfill based on the situation. How backwards that is! God’s promises aren’t based on my circumstances or situation. They are based on who he is! It’s not about me. It’s about him. What I’m facing doesn’t ever change who he is. It doesn’t change his promises, either. 

God didn’t change his promise for Abraham just because he and his wife were old and beyond child birthing years. His promise remained regardless of the circumstance. 

I once again think about Abraham in this situation. He not only believed God’s promise, but he needed God for the promise to be fulfilled. This wasn’t the type of promise anyone could fulfill. It fully required God coming through for him. And Abraham knew who his God was.

“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”

When God is the only answer, it causes our faith to grow and mature. It draws us closer to him by removing all sense of self-reliance and pride. God gets the glory, because we know without him, there is no hope. But because we are fully convinced of who our God is, we can and do have hope. 

Often times when a situation requires an intervention of God, it feels like a scary place. It feels like a valley. Sometimes it feels like a valley during a flood. You feel vulnerable and helpless. But what a beautiful place to be. The minute I think I’ve got it together without him is the most dangerous place I could be. I want to need him. I need to need him. 

I don’t want to be someone who doubts because I’m looking at the reality of my circumstances. I want to be someone who has faith because I’m fully convinced of who my God is, regardless of the circumstance.