Romans 4:16-25: a reflection

16For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the offspring, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. 17As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.” This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were. 18Against hope, Abraham in hope believed, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “So will your offspring be.” 19Without being weakened in faith, he didn’t consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, 21and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform. 22Therefore it also was “credited to him for righteousness.” 23Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone, 24but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.

Paul holds up Abraham's faith as a model. Against hope, Abraham in hope believed that he would become the father of many nations, as God had promised. He was about a hundred years old, his body as good as dead, Sarah's womb barren; humanly, the promise was impossible. Yet Abraham did not waver in unbelief; he grew strong in faith, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. And this faith was credited to him as righteousness.

Notice the character of Abraham's faith: it hoped against hope, fully convinced that God was able to keep his promise despite the impossibility. Everything visible was against the promise; Abraham was old, Sarah barren, the thing humanly impossible. Yet Abraham did not focus on the impossibility, wavering in unbelief; he looked to the promise of God, and grew strong in faith, fully persuaded that what God had promised, he was able to do. His faith rested not on the visible possibilities, but on the God who promised.

That faith, believing God's promise against all apparent impossibility, fully persuaded that he is able, is the faith we are called to, and it is written for our sake. We too face promises of God whose fulfillment seems humanly impossible, everything visible against them; and we can waver in unbelief, focusing on the impossibility. But Abraham looked to the God who promised, and was fully convinced that God was able to do what he said. When God's promise seems impossible, everything visible against it, do not waver in unbelief, focusing on the impossibility; look, as Abraham looked, to the God who promised, fully persuaded that what he has promised, he is able to do. Faith rests not on the visible possibilities, but on the God who promises and is able. Believe God's promise against all apparent impossibility, as Abraham believed, fully convinced that the God who raised Jesus from the dead is able to do what he has promised, however impossible it seems.

Lord, Paul holds up Abraham's faith as a model: against hope, he in hope believed he would become the father of many nations, though he was a hundred years old and Sarah barren, the thing humanly impossible; yet he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, fully convinced that you were able to do what you had promised, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Show me the character of his faith: it hoped against hope, fully persuaded you were able despite the impossibility. Everything visible was against the promise; yet Abraham looked not to the impossibility, but to your promise, and grew strong in faith. That faith is the faith I am called to, written for my sake. I too face promises of yours whose fulfillment seems humanly impossible, everything visible against them; and I can waver in unbelief, focusing on the impossibility. But Abraham looked to you, who promised, and was fully convinced you were able. When your promise seems impossible, everything visible against it, keep me from wavering in unbelief; help me look, as Abraham looked, to you, who promised, fully persuaded that what you have promised, you are able to do. Faith rests not on the visible possibilities, but on you. Help me believe your promise against all apparent impossibility, Lord, fully convinced that you, who raised Jesus from the dead, are able to do what you have promised. Strengthen my faith to hope against hope.