By Faith
This week we’ve looked at how we’re all sinners who fall short of God’s perfect standard. The good news is that Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection fulfill God’s promise for grace to those who accept and believe it as the only and perfect atonement for righteousness. Today we reflect on Abraham’s faith and how it was credited to him as righteousness.
God, I invite Your presence into this moment. Guide me in today’s word, revealing that Your assurance for righteousness is greater than my doubts or failures. Soften my heart to be sensitive of the price paid on my behalf. Remind me of this grace so I can continually respond in gratitude. Strengthen my faith and allow it to build confidence and rest in my relationship with You. Amen.
Romans 4: 18-25 (NLT)
18 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!” 19 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.
20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. 23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded 24 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. 25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
I generally enjoy collaborating within groups or teams. I find it fosters dynamic environments where diverse perspectives come together to achieve a common goal. However, in college I hated group projects. Even today, I’m not convinced of their effectiveness. Attempting to coordinate college students’ schedules while promoting every individual’s involvement is nearly impossible. It usually ends with at least one individual seemingly being “dead weight.”
On one occasion while in college, I got my lines crossed and completely missed a group meeting. This rendered my involvement completely insignificant. The group assigned me a short, meaningless PowerPoint slide that I anxiously stuttered through. There was little doubt within the class who the “dead weight” was. However, to my surprise, the peer reviews came back relatively positive, and I was credited with an A that I didn’t deserve. Have you ever received credit for something you didn’t deserve? If so, how did it make you feel?
Abraham is another example of someone who received undeserved credit. His story is marked by “dead weight” actions, such as doubt, deception, and impatience, resulting in an inconsistent faith journey of mountain tops and valleys. Does this sound familiar? Yet, it’s this faith journey that scripture gives as the standard for attaining undeserved righteousness. The key was Abraham’s faith. Did Abraham find his belief during the mountaintop moments? Was it during a season in the valley? Perhaps it was in the waiting? I’m not sure. But one thing we know – Abraham continued. Despite doubt, he endured. Persevering through his feelings, he clung to his faith, let it grow, relied on God, and gave glory to Him. And in the end, righteousness was credited to him for this unshakeable belief. In moments of doubt, what are some ways you can strengthen your faith endurance?
Like Abraham, we too have been given a promise. Our promise is the promise of the gospel. It’s through an enduring belief in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection that we are redeemed by God’s grace and declared righteous. There’s no achievement on our own accord that makes this possible. It’s only through faith in Jesus.
As we close out today, feel free to talk to God on your own or use one of the prompts to get you started. Let’s pray.
God, I start today with an undeniable belief in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.
God, strengthen my faith with daily and enduring assurances of grace. In moments of doubt help me refocus on Your promises found in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
May God clothe you in His righteousness through the riches in Jesus Christ.
God, I invite Your presence into this moment. Guide me in today’s word, revealing that Your assurance for righteousness is greater than my doubts or failures. Soften my heart to be sensitive of the price paid on my behalf. Remind me of this grace so I can continually respond in gratitude. Strengthen my faith and allow it to build confidence and rest in my relationship with You. Amen.
Romans 4: 18-25 (NLT)
18 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!” 19 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.
20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. 23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded 24 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. 25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
I generally enjoy collaborating within groups or teams. I find it fosters dynamic environments where diverse perspectives come together to achieve a common goal. However, in college I hated group projects. Even today, I’m not convinced of their effectiveness. Attempting to coordinate college students’ schedules while promoting every individual’s involvement is nearly impossible. It usually ends with at least one individual seemingly being “dead weight.”
On one occasion while in college, I got my lines crossed and completely missed a group meeting. This rendered my involvement completely insignificant. The group assigned me a short, meaningless PowerPoint slide that I anxiously stuttered through. There was little doubt within the class who the “dead weight” was. However, to my surprise, the peer reviews came back relatively positive, and I was credited with an A that I didn’t deserve. Have you ever received credit for something you didn’t deserve? If so, how did it make you feel?
Abraham is another example of someone who received undeserved credit. His story is marked by “dead weight” actions, such as doubt, deception, and impatience, resulting in an inconsistent faith journey of mountain tops and valleys. Does this sound familiar? Yet, it’s this faith journey that scripture gives as the standard for attaining undeserved righteousness. The key was Abraham’s faith. Did Abraham find his belief during the mountaintop moments? Was it during a season in the valley? Perhaps it was in the waiting? I’m not sure. But one thing we know – Abraham continued. Despite doubt, he endured. Persevering through his feelings, he clung to his faith, let it grow, relied on God, and gave glory to Him. And in the end, righteousness was credited to him for this unshakeable belief. In moments of doubt, what are some ways you can strengthen your faith endurance?
Like Abraham, we too have been given a promise. Our promise is the promise of the gospel. It’s through an enduring belief in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection that we are redeemed by God’s grace and declared righteous. There’s no achievement on our own accord that makes this possible. It’s only through faith in Jesus.
As we close out today, feel free to talk to God on your own or use one of the prompts to get you started. Let’s pray.
God, I start today with an undeniable belief in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.
God, strengthen my faith with daily and enduring assurances of grace. In moments of doubt help me refocus on Your promises found in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
May God clothe you in His righteousness through the riches in Jesus Christ.
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