Scripture to Read: Romans 4:16–19
We find today, in Romans 4:16–19, God hammering home how everyone inherits the promise He made to Abraham in Genesis 15. Inheriting God’s promise depends entirely on us placing our faith in God and His promise, which was fulfilled in Christ. God gives us the fullness of His promise through His abundant grace (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense) and His abounding mercy (Ephesians 2:4–5). Therefore, God’s promise is guaranteed through Christ to all of Abraham’s descendants, not just Jewish believers, but also Gentile believers who practice the same faith as Abraham. That is why Abraham is called the father of us all by God in Genesis 17:5, “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.” We must never forget that God is the only One who gives life to the dead (Ephesians 2:1) and that He creates new things out of dead things (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Genesis 12, Abraham was 75 years old when God first called him to leave his country and follow Him. Abraham put his faith in God and His promise, for he and Sarah were both beyond the childbearing years. God told Abraham, in Genesis 15:5, “And He took him outside and said, ‘Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’” Abraham’s faith was tested, for God did not give Abraham Isaac until Abraham was 100 years old.
Challenge & Application
How has your faith in God been tested, and how have you grown in your faith through those tests?
What do you see about Abraham's faith in God that you need to put into practice with your faith in God?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!