“[Abraham] did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise
but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, He was also able to do.” (Romans 4:20-21)
Are there any of God’s promises that you have a hard time being “fully convinced” that He is really able to do?
Maybe it’s that one where He told you that He will save you by His mercy instead of your good works or behavior? Or maybe it’s the one where He promises to never leave you or forsake you? Or that one about how He will provide for your needs?
Let’s face it: We like to cling to the tangible—what makes sense and what we can DO. He often asks us to cling to the intangible—the supernatural, that only HE can do. There’s no way around the fact that this takes a whole lot of faith.
Abraham was asked to believe the promise of an heir when he was too old, and descendants like the sand of the seashore before he even had one son, and the Messiah to come through his line, the last two which he would never see fulfilled in his lifetime. He literally had to die still believing in the unknown.
But he did—and “it was credited to him for righteousness.” (4:22) The only thing more amazing than this verse is the next: “Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (4:23-24)
The next time you are tempted to doubt the promises of God, remember that when you choose to take God according to His Word, no matter how crazy it might seem, He esteems your faith so highly that He does the same amazing thing for you as He did for Abraham: credits it to you for righteousness.
Wow.
P.S. See this original post for info about this photo challenge and more about this reading plan I’m using this summer for the book of Romans (and I’d love to have you join in!)!
Rejoicing Hills 
I’m a big fan of the author Gretchen Rubin. She encourages people to latch on to a word for the year and make it their mantra. This year I chose the word “REFLECT”. Your picture of the grass “reflecting” itself on norma lake made me remember again this morning about my word. It has two meanings for me this year…to ponder life and take time to process all that is going on….but the second meaning is to “REFLECT” Christ. A good question to ask myself everyday is “am I reflecting the life of christ in my own?
God bless you this day!!
Great idea minnesotagirlatheart…love that idea!!
And as far as a comment on God’s promises……I doubted many times in my life when I heard….”God will never give you more than you can handle”…..REALLY Lord….you want me to do WHAT? Oh I could never do that or accomplish that…….He put my faith to the test, .HE gave me the strength and endurance to accomplish many things that I thought I needed to handle myself, but it was like the Footprints in the Sand….He was the one carrying me! So now I look at it in this perspective….GOD DOESN’T GIVE US WHAT WE CAN HANDLE….GOD HELPS US HANDLE WHAT WE ARE GIVEN…..Give all the Praise and Glory to God for all the HILLS and VALLEYS he has gotten me through….
I love this perspective, Alene. He has surely carried you through some rough times and you have come forth as gold!