And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in Him, the One who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and He was raised to life to make us right with God.
Romans 4:19-25
I have clipped for you what I wrote in Gem 163 when I covered this passage in Romans.
You know and I know Paul has edited Abe’s story. Note the elements in the text. Abraham kept hoping – believing // Abraham’s faith didn’t weaken // Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. // Abraham was fully convinced . . .
But Abe did waver! We all know the story. He accepted Sarah’s offer of Hagar and had a child to her because they wondered when God was going to fulfil the promise. [Ever wondered what this world would be like if Abraham hadn’t done that?] Abraham tried to work out in the flesh what God had promised supernaturally. I would say that was wavering. I would say that was weak faith. Did he keep hoping? Yes, his faith grew stronger to the point where he could offer this son as a sacrifice. That is huge. Abraham’s faith was significant and an example to us all. Paul indeed tells us that this was recorded for our benefit; assuring us God will count us as righteous if we trust in Him.
Every day of Abraham’s life he was reminded of his wavering. Isaac’s name means “he laughs”. Not “she laughs” but “he laughs”. Every time he called Isaac he was reminded that he laughed the laugh of unbelief at the notion of having a son by the promise. Oh yes Sarah laughed, but God held Abraham accountable for his laugh. While it is true that Abraham’s faith was remarkable from the perspective of the immediacy of his response to God’s instructions to him as we saw in the previous Gem, there were other incidents of Abraham’s wavering in faith. Let’s call it what it was – unbelief, his lack of faith.
Here is a summary of Abe’s unbelieving moments.
When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.”
Genesis 12:12-13
3You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.” 4Then the LORD said to him, “. . . you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” 5Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have! . . . 6I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as your possession.” . . . 8But Abram replied, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?”
Genesis 15:3-8
2So Sarai said to Abram, “The LORD has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. . . . 4So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt. 5Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The LORD will show who’s wrong—you or me!”
Genesis 16:2-5
15Then God said to Abraham, “Regarding Sarai, your wife—her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah. 16And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants.” 17Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?”
Genesis 17:15-17
2Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace. 3But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!” . . . . . 9Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done! 10Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?” 11Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ 12And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her.
Genesis 20:2-3; 9-12
What is amazing is when it is all summed up, all that is forgotten and we are told that Abraham grew in faith and never wavered. How can Paul say that when he knew the Torah stories well? How can God allow the story of Abraham to be told in that way when He summarises Abe’s life? Think about it. God knows the end from the beginning. God is the Alpha and the Omega; the Aleph and the Tau, the First and the Last. God can look past Abraham’s weak moments and remind the angels when they come running to tell Him that Abe has fallen again; that it’s alright. “Angels, Abraham will indeed become the father of a great nation because he will soon be willing to sacrifice the son of promise without questioning if I give the command. He will be ready to turn his back on the promise if I say so. I already know the heights Abraham will attain to in faith.”
Do you realise that is also the perspective God has on your faith. Allow your faith to grow from strength to strength with each response you give to the voice of the Father. Remember you too are on a faith journey. The important thing is not to give up but to live up to the level of faith that God knows you will attain.
Don’t focus on your failings; press on in obedience in your response to the whispers of God; the still small voice of His Rhema Word to you.
Ian
If the challenge you’re facing doesn’t place a demand on your faith, it neither pleases God nor involves Him.
Bob Gass
Faith is not denying my circumstances, it’s knowing that God always has my best interests at heart. If the challenge is not yet removed then God has more for me to learn.
Ian
A faith that hasn’t been tested, can’t be trusted.
Ian