This Day in History: 0000-08-03

August 3 – Romans 4:17-25 

…Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping – believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead – and so was Sarah’s womb… He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises.  And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in Him, the One who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and He was raised to life to make us right with God. 

Are we fully convinced that God will keep His promises to us? At least for me, that’s sometimes a struggle. It’s almost like there are two parts of me, the head and the heart. I know in my head that God is able to do whatever He has said He will do, and that He is faithful. But in my heart, I question whether He really will keep His promises in my life. Almost like maybe He accidentally forgot about me. After all, I don’t really matter. I’m one person in billions. But sisters, that is desperately flawed thinking! (Or feeling, I guess)  

The Bible tells us Abraham’s faith in God to do the impossible was recorded for us to assure us that God will do the same for us. Do we believe it? Can we somehow get that truth to penetrate, not just our minds, but our hearts too? Can we have faith like Abraham that God has not forgotten us? 

Friends, our great God is mighty! He creates new life out of nothing. He brings what’s dead back to life, and He makes what’s old and broken new. He is able to take whatever we give to Him and guard it in His tender care until the day when He will make us perfect and whole. For the God in whom we believe is the One who raised Jesus from the dead! We have been made right with Him through what Jesus did for us. So as His dearly loved children, let’s be counted among the righteous and live by faith!