Romans 4:16-25 - That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he 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 a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver 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. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

In this passage from Romans 4, Paul discusses Abraham's faith in God's promise that he would become 'the father of many nations.' Though Abraham and Sarah were advanced in age and unable to have children, Abraham did not waver in believing God's promise. Paul explains that Abraham's faith was counted to him as righteousness - not because of adherence to the law, but because he believed in the God 'who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist.' Abraham's story serves as an example for us too - if we have faith in the God who raised Jesus from the dead, our faith too can be counted to us as righteousness.

Abraham's story is so encouraging because most of us can relate more to his humanity than his giant faith. When God told him that he would father nations, Abraham was already old, as was his wife Sarah. They were essentially unable to have children from a human perspective. Yet Abraham chose to have faith in God's promise despite how impossible it seemed. He did not focus on his own limitations, but on the limitless power of God. When doubt crept in, 'he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.' His example compels us to place our faith not in our own strength, but in the God who specializes in things that seem impossible. If we believe that He has power even over death through the resurrection of Jesus, how much more can He accomplish any miracle He desires? May Abraham's story grow our own faith as we fix our eyes on the God of the impossible.

Father God, we praise You for being the God of life, the God who calls into being things that do not exist. Forgive us for the times when our faith wavers because we focus on our own limitations instead of Your limitless power and love. Give us faith like Abraham to believe Your promises despite how impossible they may seem. Grow our confidence in Your ability to do the miraculous according to Your perfect will. May our lives bring You glory as we trust You fully, believing that You can do far more than we could ever ask or imagine, through Christ our risen Lord. Amen.