Abraham heard the foretelling word of God that he was chosen to be a father of many peoples. This word of revelation must have amazed Abraham, who had no son, but he accepted it by faith. He believed that God gives hope when all human hope is lost. Abraham had already failed in his faith struggle, when Ishmael was born to him from the Egyptian slave. Now, as it seemed impossible for his aged wife to bear a child, he did not look at the laws of nature, but at the Creator of nature, who could change the laws of nature. Abraham did not deceive himself with the thought that it was impossible for him to have a son from Sara, his wife. Instead he encouraged his faith, held fast to the word of God, relied on its eternal truth, and knew for certain that the Lord of glory did not lie, and that he would not fail to keep his promise, even if the human mind found no way to fulfill the promise.
This firm hold of the faithfulness of God in this faith struggle was credited to Abraham as righteousness (Genesis 15:1-6; 17:1-8).
Christ calls you, today, to share Abraham’s faith. As we look at ourselves and penetrate deeply into our churches, we find that our societies are spiritually tired, disable, and dead. However, Christ wants to give eternal life to millions through both your faith, as well as mine. He wants to bless our testimonies that his love may be embodied and multiplied as the stars in the sky. Do you believe in the promise and call of Jesus that you will have spiritual children by the word of your faith? Do you believe that God is able to overcome your incapability, revive your lukewarm church, and can raise himself up children of his spirit from hardened hearts, as John the Baptist said: Can God raise children of Abraham from the stones which lie in the wilderness if you don’t sincerely repent? Do you honor God? Do you rely on the Lord of glory, and trust in him, instead of becoming pessimistic about your lukewarm church and your ill manners? He is able to use you to carry the power of his life to many. Be certain that the God of Abraham, the Lord of Paul, is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He expects your faith, for this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Do not sleep! Do not lose hope, even if the struggle of your faith has lasted for years and tens of years, as happened in the life of Abraham, until at last one small fruit ripened in him, which was the meek Isaac. Despite Abraham’s struggles, the Lord strengthened him in spirit, and made him the father of prophets. Your Lord is living, and he wants to justify you by your faith. So, raise your heart, strengthen your hands, which hang down, and your feeble knees, for the Lord is living, and he goes before you in your spiritual war.