Have Faith in God

Today, I want to discuss Romans chapter 4, verses 18 to 21 from the NIV with you.

I want to share 4 important points about faith from this passage:

• We are told that Abraham believed against all hope. This is the essence of faith, believing when there seems to be no reason to hope. Abraham found hope solely in the promise of God, not in his physical circumstances. That's the only reason why against all hope, not some hope, all hope, he could find hope.

• Faith is placing our hope in God's promise. Faith holds on to what God has said, not in what we think, what we see, or how we feel.

• Abraham's faith made him glorify God. Faith always leads to gratitude and praise to God, even before seeing the outcome. If we have faith, we will give thanks to God in all circumstances.

• Abraham was fully persuaded of God's power and faithfulness. His faith was not wishful thinking but a firm conviction in God's ability and faithfulness to do what He had promised.

I love the version that says, "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God."

I want to encourage you today not to consider your current state or situation especially against what God has promised you in Christ. Rather, consider Him who has promised. He is faithful and true. Hold on to your faith in God's word, as Abraham did. Through him, the nations of the world have been blessed indeed, and this is still evident today.