As spoken of Abraham in Romans 4:18-25 "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be" 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised. 22. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23 The words "it was credited to him" were written for not him alone. 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness - for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
Words that stick out to me immediately include: Against all hope, in hope believed and became, without weakening his faith, faced the fact, yet did not waiver regarding the promises of God, but was strengthened in his faith, gave glory to God, fully persuaded that God does what He has promised, credited to him as righteousness, but not just for Abraham but for us too, those who believe God….
Just my short paraphrase blows my mind at the delight God has in rewarding His children for having faith in His ability to do what He has said He would do in our lives. God doesn't sit around waiting to punish His children He is looking to bless us and has given us a clear road in doing so (in the scriptures). I love Abraham's solid rock attitude of faith. I picture him appearing foolish to those around him. The general population would scoff at the idea of some 90-100 year old couple believing that God was going to bless the womb of Sarah & give them the promise God had spoke to them years before. Do you have a promise? Are you still holding on or have you given up on the notion that God can & will do it? Have you considered that it's your faith holding you back? Are you speaking life into your promise or letting it lay abandoned without hope. There is no one or no thing that has "no hope" when God is involved & I believe that with all of my heart.
I wonder how many promises the enemy has "stolen" before they came to life. Well I am here today to tell you those promises are still yours! By faith God can perform the unbelievable in your life! I love Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us," It's the power that is at work within us friends. God accomplished all from the end to the beginning. In other words all the blessings God has for us is dependent on just that…US! Pursue God, read His word, claim the scriptures for yourself, be strengthened in your faith, and rest in God's perfect plan for your life. Believing that God knows the plans He has for you…to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)
Katie
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