Romans 4:13-25
"...being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
(ROMANS 4:21)
When I was a child, a neighbor tried to teach me to swim. I could kick my legs and move my arms but my trust was totally in her arms holding me up in the water. A few years later a friend who had just learned to swim told me, "The water will hold you up." What a revelation that was! Did she mean I would not sink? I pushed with my feet from the bottom of the pool toward the edge and discovered it was true. I was floating! I had no idea how it worked, but once I knew the water could support me, I could swim.
Satan doesn't want us to be confident that God is able and willing to meet all our needs, to support us through every circumstance. Whether we can "touch bottom" or are in situations way over our heads, God will never leave us. His goodness and grace keep us afloat from one year to the next. We need to know that in our heads and in our hearts. With that confidence and faith, we are carried along in our walk with Christ, able to take our focus off of our daunting circumstances and onto Jesus.
INSIGHT
WHAT A BLESSEDNESS, WHAT A PEACE IS MINE, LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS.
(ELISHA A. HOFFMAN, 1887)
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Genesis 43-44
Psalm 22
Mark 2
Romans 4:13-25
New International Version (NIV)
13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[b] 19 Without weakening in his faith, he 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. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Footnotes:
a. Romans 4:17 Gen. 17:5
b. Romans 4:18 Gen. 15:5
DEALING WITH DEPRESSION [PART 2]
with Dr. Ed Welch
January is often cited as the most depressing month of the year. The weather is dreary and New Year's resolutions are failing. Tune in today to learn more about how Christians can face depression.
No comments:
Post a Comment