Thursday, January 8 Devo:

FAITH IN THE PROMISE KEEPER

Christopher Eaton

“In hope he [Abraham] believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, 'So shall your offspring be.' He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about 100 years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waiver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.” Romans 4:18-21 (ESV)

In today’s devotional passage, Paul remembers the faith of Abraham, recorded across several chapters of the book of Genesis. In Genesis 15, God promises to make Abraham into a great nation, but as the years go by with no sign of the fulfillment of that promise in sight, doubt begins to creep in. Abraham and Sarah eventually decide that God needs a little help in delivering on the promise (See Genesis 16), which results in unintended complications and misery for all involved. In chapter 17, God returns to repeat His promise to Abraham, and this is where our passage in Romans 4 picks up the story.

Paul tells us that this time, Abraham believed against hope . . . that he did not let his own limited interpretation of the situation change his understanding of who God is. Abraham did not let his advanced age or the perception that Sarah was unable to bear children weaken his faith. Instead, he purposed to BELIEVE GOD.

During this time of seeking the Lord, let us purpose to focus on who our God is. Let’s remind ourselves that He is the Omnipotent God who can do anything. Let’s remind ourselves that He is our Compassionate Healer who wants to restore us . . . mind, body, and spirit. Let’s remind ourselves that He is good, that He is faithful, that He is our Provider and the source of EVERYTHING we need!

As we, during our fast, take our eyes off our flesh and put them onto our Creator and Redeemer, let us take our eyes off the obstacles that appear to stand between God and His promises and put them onto the Promise Keeper. How do we do this? We follow Abraham’s example! In Romans 4:20, Paul explains that Abraham “grew strong in his faith AS HE GAVE GLORY TO GOD.” When we give God glory and praise for what He WILL DO and IS DOING, we come into faith agreement with the promise and the Promise Keeper.

In this season, determine to BELIEVE GOD, and let it be counted to us as righteousness!

- Christopher Eaton