Romans 4:13-25

Be Still: Lord, I give this day – and this moment – to you. Help me turn my attention from life’s distractions towards you and your presence. (Pause, close your eyes, and breathe.) Come, lead and guide me today. I invite you into the depths of my heart.

Read: Romans 4:13-25

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. (v18-21)

Encounter: We tend to prefer tangible things – objects we can touch, evidence we can see, science that proves something. It’s the culture we live in. If someone makes a bold claim or promise, the natural response is often, 'prove it.'

I once did a bungee jump. I’d watched countless people before me leap and live to tell the tale. But when it was my turn, and all I could see was the massive drop below – and not the safety cord behind me – I lost all faith. I genuinely doubted I’d survive.

Abraham was faced with old age (as good as dead – charming!) and Sarah’s womb was lifeless too. But they didn’t allow their faith to waver. They still believed. Naturally, they couldn’t see any way they could have children, but they still trusted. People around them would’ve said, 'Prove it – how can that possibly happen?' But their answer was, 'Because our God promised.'

This is the kind of faith God invites us into – an unwavering belief that defies the odds and ignores what we can or cannot see. With our God, all things are possible, so the reality we face doesn’t get the final say. As it says in Hebrews: 'Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.'

Apply: Is there an area of your life that feels hopeless, not what you wish it was – maybe even 'as good as dead'? God wants to encourage you today: all is not lost. Just because you can’t see a way through doesn’t mean he can’t make one. If he made it possible for a 90-year-old woman to give birth, what could he do in the situation you face?

Devote: Lord, give me the gift of unwavering faith. Strengthen my trust in you. Remove any unbelief from me. Work the miracle in my life that I’m believing for.