Faith Challenge

",,,,,In the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 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. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." (Romans 4:17-21)

Power explodes from these Words. When I read and meditate on certain passages of Scripture, instantly my mind and spirit realize how intensely life changing they can be for me. And this is one of those passages of Scriptures. Abraham's acts of faith are numerous and impressive. I long for that degree of faith in my own life. Here, he is an old, old man and his wife, Sarah, is an old, old woman and they are trusting God for Sarah to become pregnant to bear Abraham a son. To me, that is faith deserving to be replicated by us. Several points in this passage are worth our attention.

It is established that Abraham "believed God". If we are lacking in this basic spiritual foundation, we have nothing but shaking sand to build our lives upon. I want the bedrock of faith in God that guarantees, no matter what I have to face in this life, I will not be shaken to despondency and hopelessness.

God's ways are never our ways. This passage reminds us: "God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did". I cling to these words - God IS the giver of life (even to the dead). Life is a priceless commodity, especially for end stage cancer patients. Too many times to enumerate, my Lord has reached down and rescued me from the brink of death. He does give life! Praises be to His Name! And, since we are wise to follow God's example, what do these verses tell us? That God "calls those things which do not exist as though they did". Midway through this leukemia battle, I began to study a great deal on the importance in the spiritual realm of the words we utter with our mouths. Of the life-changing studies I have done, this one has proven to be vital to my lengthy survival, despite overwhelming odds. From hospital beds, I have uttered these words over and over as death loomed at the door: "For by Me your days will be multiplied and years added unto your life" (Proverbs 9:11). "Give attention to My Words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes for they are LIFE to those who find them and HEALTH to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:20). I don't meditate on these words as a futile exercise - I am obeying God's example to "call those things which do not exist as though they do". His Word has not failed me.

We are told about Abraham, "And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead..." Although 100 years old, Abraham's faith did not waiver in his belief that God would bless him with a son born of Sarah. He did not look at his aged body. He believed. He trusted God. Circumstances did not inflict doubt on his prayer. This is a tough assignment. How many of us can have a life-threatening diagnosis tossed our direction and not waiver or flinch? Yet, this is precisely the instructions God has given to us through His Holy Word. Circumstances and situations must never cloud our spiritual vision. We must not doubt God due to the difficulties that approach our lives.

Abraham's actions are memorialized in these God-breathed words: "He did not waiver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." We need to take heed and listen and word by word, ingest this passage of Scripture. We need to memorize it. We need to imitate Abraham - he did not waiver; he did not allow unbelief to interfere; difficult times only strengthened his faith; he continued to praise and give glory to His Father; and he was" fully convinced" that God was going to do what He promised to do.

In my humble opinion, if Christians will make a concerted effort to obey the example that Abraham has left for us in these Holy Words, our lives will be changed immensely. Problems and life situations when faced with the power and example of God's Word are eradicated and Satan is placed promptly in the corner. Impossible situations suddenly appear possible when anointed with the faith of a believer, touched by the power of All Mighty God. God is unchanging - His Word tells us this fact. If He orchestrated a birth for an aged couple who believed, He will perform no less impressive miracles for those of us who love and serve Him.

Let us not be weak in our faith.