As we continue our study of the book of Romans, we’re seeing Abraham as the father and example of our faith. It’s because of this faith that we receive blessing and righteousness from the Lord.
In my last post, we saw how he trusted God even though all the facts of his situation pointed in the wrong direction.
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.
Romans 4:20-21
The Scripture says that Abraham did not waver through unbelief. That word, waver, is important for us to understand.
Taken literally, it’s a word that means judgment. Abraham didn’t try to judge, based upon all of the facts, whether he should believe God or not.
This is something that we, as believers, need to get a grasp on. God is beyond our finite judgment. His Word is true no matter what any other facts look like. It’s not up to me whether God should be believed or not.
Like Abraham, we need to be fully persuaded that God has the power to do whatever He says He’s going to do. We need to constantly be checking ourselves with these questions.
Do I believe God has the power to do what He said? Am I fully persuaded that He will accomplish it? And what exactly does it mean to be fully persuaded?
That phrase has a double meaning in the Greek language. Yes, it means to be fully persuaded. But, it also means to be fully carried out. This explains a lot about Abraham’s walk with God.
Some say that having Ishmael was a lack of faith on Abraham’s part. Actually, God didn’t see it that way.
Abraham was fully persuaded that God was going to give him a large family. So, in his limited ability, he was trying to fully carry out God’s plan.
He had been faithful to his wife, Sarah, for 80 years. It took what he thought was a Word from God to do otherwise.
The Lord did not see that as a weakening of his faith. God simply came to him again and said, “That’s not how I want to accomplish it. I’m going to give you a family through Sarah.”
So often we get worried that we’re going to “miss God” if we make a wrong decision. I’m so grateful that He’s bigger than that. God is fully able to work in, around, or through our mistakes.
It’s my job to simply be convinced that He’s well able to do what He says he’ll do. Then I need to walk in any instructions He gives me. That’s being fully persuaded and ready to carry out God’s plan.
That’s why the reading of Scripture is so important. The more we know God’s Word, the more persuaded we become of His ability to fulfill it.
I encourage you to make that a daily habit in this New Year. Read the Scripture each day.
Let me give you a gift to help you accomplish this. Recently, the Lord took me on a journey through the New Testament. As a result, I came up with a daily reading plan that takes you through the New Testament in the order that the Holy Spirit revealed it to the church.
It’s my prayer that you have a blessed, prosperous, and healthy New Year!
Question: How is your life affected by your Bible reading?
© 2021 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 