Romans 4:20-25 (HCSB)
He (Abraham) did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, because he was fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness. Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
John Dibert serves as an Elder at Impact Community Church. We are excited to share his Devotion from Romans today.
When Lei Lani and I stood at the marriage altar 30 years ago, I knew she loved me. I truly believed her when she said she wanted to be with me "in sickness and in health, till death us do part". At the young age of 21, though, I probably didn't really understand or comprehend "till death us do part". I just knew she loved me, and I believed her when she said she would always stay with me. So did my lack of understanding of the depth of the words "till death us do part" make her promise any less real? Did my lack of knowledge of the victories and losses we would face in our future marriage diminish or limit her love for me? Did it invalidate or even water down my belief in her promise?
Similarly, in order to fully believe God's promise, was it necessary for Abraham to fully comprehend what the nation of Israel would look like? After all, who could fully picture or wrap their head around their descendants numbering more than the grains of sand along the beach (Gen 22:17)? Yet, Paul tells the Roman church, it was his unwavering belief in God's promise that saved Abraham. It wasn't his obedience. It was his faith--his confident belief!--that God would do as He said He would do.
God "counted" Abraham's faith "towards righteousness"--regardless of how limited in understanding it might have been and how finite it was in understanding what God could and would do! Abraham didn't need to fully see the scope of the promise to fully believe it! That's faith!! May we, like Abraham, put our faith in God's promise for us. He has given us the greatest promise one can receive: eternal life through the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. We don't have to fully comprehend it--in fact, we can't. We only need to accept and believe it.