Day 4: Strengthened in Faith
Without weakening in his faith, [Abraham] 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, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised (Romans 4:19-21).
Our Father and faithful God, You are trustworthy in all You promise and faithful in all You do (Psalm 145:13). David said of You, "Your covenant is trustworthy" (2 Samuel 7:28).
Abraham understood this, and believed, according to Your word, that Your promise was guaranteed to all [his] offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham (Romans 4:16). Despite having no children at this point, with his body...good as dead... and [his wife] Sarah's womb... also dead...he...was fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised (Romans 4:19-21).
O God, You do not change from age to age. You are still the God of covenant—a promise-keeping God. And to us, You have given us Your very great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4). Yet we continue to waver in unbelief regarding the promises of God.
Strengthen our faith, O Father! Give us the vision of Abraham—the ability to face facts, and yet see the God of limitless power.
You have spoken Your promise over many things in our lives that are as good as dead. Breathe Your resurrection power into them as we look to You in faith. Teach us to be fully persuaded that You can birth life and hope, and a future, from weary, aged bodies and dead, hopeless wombs. Breathe life into dead relationships, dead hopes, dead dreams, dead expectations, dead souls.
Call into being things that are not—faith that is not, belief that is not, stability that is not, peace that is not.
We lift to You our families, our friends, our colleagues and ministry partners, our local and worldwide churches, our communities, our lost and broken world. Help us to unceasingly pray Your promises over their lives. Help us to in hope believe against all hope (Romans 4:18).
Father, may we be strengthened in faith, and bring glory to You by trusting in the God who has power to do what He has promised.
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