Tuesday 31 March 2015

Unfulfilled promises

Romans 4:17-18
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. 18 In hope he believed against hope,
V20; No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised

'In hope he believed against hope,' 
I love this verse. It challenges me to keep hold of the promises God has given despite the wait. I don't know about you, but I find that waiting hard. 
God has given me promises, but when they haven't been fulfilled days, weeks, months later I find it difficult to hold on. I begin to doubt. Was that really God? Was it me? It seems that I, 'waver concerning the promise of God'. 
How do I learn to hold on? 

This passage tells us that Abraham, 'grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised'. Abraham recognised the power, might and glory of God despite his waiting, despite the as yet unfulfilled promises. 
He continued to praise God. 
The Bible even says he, 'grew strong in his faith'. So, Abraham must of worked on his relationship with God. He continued to spend time with Him and got to know Him better. Abraham grew stronger in faith. To me, it seems that Abraham kept God as the main thing, not the promise God had made. Abraham trusted God. 

Abraham accepted that God was able and in charge, God should be our main focus, not the disappointments, unfulfilled desires or promises. We should spend more time recognising who God is rather than what we are still waiting for.

Abraham did not let what he was experiencing affect his trust in God wane. Abraham realised who God is and knew that God 'was able to do what he had promised'.. God hasn't changed! God is the same today for us as He was for Abraham. He can and does perform miracles.

If God has made you promises, don't let the unfulfillment of them effect your relationship with Him. He still is and will be God no matter what is going on in your life. If the promises He has made you seem ever more unlikely - imagine the glory, honour and praise you will be giving God when they do come to pass.

Grow strong in your faith do that in hope, you can believe against hope.



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