What does it mean by ‘believe God’?
17[Abraham] is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. 18Against 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.” 19Without 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. 20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Romans 4:17b-25 (NIV)
In Romans 4:17b-25, Paul presents Abraham as a case study of genuine, living faith that believers should emulate. “Believing God” involves three key aspects:
- Recognizing that reality is greater than feelings or appearances: Despite his advanced age and Sarah’s barrenness, Abraham faced the facts but did not let them override God’s promise (Rom.4:19). Faith is not blind optimism or self-confidence; rather, it acknowledges personal weakness while trusting in God’s power.
- Focusing on facts about God: Abraham gave glory to God, fully convinced of His power to fulfill His promises (Rom.4:20-21). Faith involves reflecting on God’s character and abilities rather than merely reacting to circumstances. Believers today have even more evidence of God’s love and power, especially through Christ’s resurrection.
- Trusting God’s word alone: Abraham believed that God could do what He had promised (Rom.4:21), even when feelings, popular opinion, and common sense seemed to contradict it. Faith means taking God at His word and letting it define reality.
To strengthen our faith today, believers should study and meditate on God’s character, acting on His promises even when it is challenging. This may involve generous giving despite economic risks or speaking the truth even at the cost of relationships, trusting in God’s care and sovereignty.
Abraham’s life also demonstrates that genuine faith is not perfect obedience. He questioned God, lied about Sarah, and attempted to fulfill God’s promise through Hagar. However, his faith persevered through struggles and failures, growing stronger as he clung to God’s promises (Rom.4:20). The life of faith involves maintaining trust in God’s word, viewing successes and shortcomings as opportunities to deepen one’s reliance on Him.
Paul emphasizes that the words “credited to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6) were written not only for Abraham but also for believers today (Romans 4:23-24). Saving faith for Christians means believing in the God who raised Jesus from the dead and trusting that His death and resurrection were for their sins and justification (Rom.4:24-25). Just as Abraham’s faith rested on the promise of a descendant, Christian faith relies on what God has accomplished through one of Abraham’s descendants, Jesus Christ.
In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to trust God’s promises, especially when your feelings or circumstances seem to contradict them? How can Abraham’s example encourage you to face the facts while still believing God?
[The ideas for this week’s materials on Romans 4:1-25 were drawn from Tim Keller’s book “Romans 1-7 for You“]
I have had several experiences over the years in which I found it challenging to trust in God’s promises when my feelings and circumstances seemed to contradict them. One such time, which I have shared before with some of you, was about 2 years or so after I first became a believer. I had been clean and free from drugs and alcohol for the entire time, and felt as though God had miraculously freed me from a life of hopeless addiction. Then, after a series of challenging circumstances, I relapsed, and life became a living hell. Without going into too much detail, I’ll just say that things went from bad to worse, and the downward spiral seemed to have no end. I didn’t understand. If God was real, and my faith in Him was real, why was this happening? It didn’t line up with what I thought I knew about God’s promises. The reality though was that God remained faithful, even though I did not. Looking back now, I can see clearly that He had His hand on me the whole time, and was working in and through the whole situation to draw me closer to Him and display His grace and glory in my life in a way I never could have imagined! I was reminded of this in today’s reading, which said, “Abraham’s life also demonstrates that genuine faith is not perfect obedience. He questioned God, lied about Sarah, and attempted to fulfill God’s promise through Hagar. However, his faith persevered through struggles and failures, growing stronger as he clung to God’s promises (Rom.4:20). The life of faith involves maintaining trust in God’s word, viewing successes and shortcomings as opportunities to deepen one’s reliance on Him.” This has been my experience as well. Though I have strayed from Him and lacked obedience on several occasions, God has remained faithful to uphold His promises in my heart and life. Today, I can say, along with Paul, with complete confidence, that “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ,” (Phil 1:6).
I still face this all the time. Not so much for myself since I have already experience the Father works in so many aspects of my life now that doubts are fading. However, I see the kind of struggles that Teri and the kids are facing and when I hear their questions asking me to explain why God lets certain things happen, I don’t know how to answer in a meaningful way that would help them understand. I can say how I feel and what I experience but it only sounds tepid and inane to those who are facing difficulties. When they ask how much more should God punish them, all I can say is to assure them that God has His ways but it sounds empty even in my ears. I don’t know what His plans are and I can say that we should trust the Lord and maybe that’s fine for me but how do I make such promises on behalf of God…certainly I cannot since I know not His plans.
Romans 11:33-34: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?'”
Maybe in this world there is no justice and they have to wait for another time but it is not a very satisfying answer. How can I say that maybe God is still testing you and that may be what You endure is intended to bring you closer to Him and to bring you to an understanding. How do I tell people that who are in the midst of their suffering. I feel that the understanding of our place with God and the understanding and trust in His grace and faithfulness must be experienced and cannot be described or relayed. I can speak of How He treats me and I can hope that evidence of my and other brothers and sisters can bring comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
So while I feel confidence in the Lord and have faith in His work in my life, I feel anxious and confused about what His intentions are for others who may not yet trust Him. But we know our Lord Jesus came to earth to live among us and He feels and knows our pain. He is not just sitting high above…he walks with us. I try to remind myself and others in our suffering this truth.
Hebrews 4:15-16: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”