Abraham and Sarah had no ability to bear children. Abraham had been given a promise by God that he would be the father of many nations. He’d been told something that was impossible in the natural and God knew it was impossible. God was looking for Abraham to dare to believe. That’s the story of faith. Many times God will speak a promise, speak something into our lives and into our hearts, and then expect us to believe and sometimes it doesn’t happen overnight.
Sometimes it takes years, Abraham believed God for 25 years. Romans 4:18-21 states: “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.” 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. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
I want to draw some principles from this passage:
1. Abraham did not let circumstances discourage him. He did not allow his faith to be diminished as he considered the deadness of his body and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He kept his faith high, and that is not always easy to do day in and day out for 25 years! Especially when you have no idea when the miracle will take place.
Sometimes circumstances can get us down, but Abraham refused to allow that to happen, he refused to dwell on the impossibility of his circumstances and instead chose to focus on the ability and faithfulness of God. God had said his descendants would be like the stars in the sky and the sand on the shore. He looked up at the stars and he looked at the sand and reminded himself of the things God had said.
2. He did not waver through unbelief at the promise of God. James 1:6-8 states “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” Not only should we not be moved by circumstances, we should continue to remain steadfast in our conviction that God will keep His promise.
Abraham remained steadfast in his conviction that God would keep his promise. He was human, like us, and I imagine there were times when he struggled, but he stayed in that place of faith until he saw the promise of God manifest. Hebrews 11:11 tells us “By faith Abraham, even though he was past age – and Sarah herself was barren – was enabled to become a father because he considered Him faithful who had made the promise.”
3. He praised and gave glory to God in spite of his circumstances. There is power in praise. Abraham focused on who God was and praised Him for His promises and His faithfulness to keep His promises. Something special happens when we focus on God in praise and worship and continue to give Him glory. Even when our circumstances are saying no, God many times is saying yes. Praise and worship gets our focus off ourselves and on to God and His ability.
When we enter the presence of God, all fear goes and faith begins to rise. Sometimes in Gods presence, as we stay in a place of worship, it helps us stay in a place of faith. It is not God’s desire that we should struggle, His will is for us to walk this walk of faith with His strength and power. This is the only way we truly can get through; by relinquishing all to Him.
The enemy will come and try to sow seeds of doubt as we walk things out in faith. Our best weapon against these attacks is to praise God. FF Bosworth said “Instead of listening to the father of lies, make him listen to you as you praise God for His promises!”
I believe God chose Abraham to be the father of our faith because he wanted us to take heart. Here was a man who endured so much and refused to be discouraged, moved or disappointed. He was an example to us all – never give up! Abraham believed God, and I want to encourage you to keep believing God; God will keep His promise!
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