“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith giving glory to God.” (Romans 4:20)
Abraham was seventy five years old but he didn’t have a child. Not because he didn’t want one. He had tried but it didn’t work out.
At that point, there was no hope because Sarah – his wife was past menopause.
But God told him he was going to have a child. Twenty four years went by and God repeated His promise.
Did Abraham ask how Sarah was going to become fertile again?
Did he think about how many times he’s tried in the past and failed?
No!
He didn’t consider the circumstances around him. Instead, he had faith in God.
Myanmar Standard Bible (MSB) puts it this way:
‘Abraham didn’t focus on his impotence and say, “It’s hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child. Nor did he survey Sarah’s decade of infertility and give up.
He didn’t tip toe around God’s promise asking cautiously sceptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God,
Sure that God would make good on what He had said.’
Romans 4:19-21
How was abraham able to have faith in God no matter what? By giving glory to Him.
He thanked Him for giving him a child. He didn’t give up because he knew that God was able to make what he said come to pass.
This reminds me of when I had financial challenges.
A few years ago, I got a job in a production firm in another state. The pay was okay. So, I took money out of my savings, packed my belongings and moved.
Two months later, I found out that the company was on the brink of insolvency. It couldn’t pay salaries.
By the time I resigned, I had not received a salary for months. My account was empty and I was living with my parents.
I was starting from scratch again.
But then I prayed. And God told me what to do.
It took me a year and moving to two states to start living on my own again. Presently, my finances have stabilized and are growing.
But before that could happen, I had faith in God and did what He said.
And I kept giving Him the glory no matter how hard things became.
I thanked Him for taking care of me. I thanked Him for loving me. I thanked Him for being with me through everything.
And now I know that all His other promises for me are a done deal. Because I’ve got faith in God.
So whatever you’re going through, read what the Bible says about it. And trust God to pull you out of the situation.
If you’ve got challenges with your health, thank Him that you have a strong body.
Thank Him that you’ve gotten out of debt.
Thank Him for a loving marriage and tight knit family.
Have faith in God. Remember – strong faith gives glory to Him.