Promises, Promises
Opening Prayer
Loving Lord, as I spend time with You and read Your Word today, increase and deepen my faith, I pray.
Read ROMANS 4:13-25
[13] It was not through 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 live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, [15] because 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 are of 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.” He 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. [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.” [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. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What does Paul say here about Jesus (25)?Paul continues to use the example of Abraham to bolster his argument and stress the universal invitation of the Gospel. God promised Abraham he would become the father of nations. God did this at a time when Abraham and his wife Sarah were very old. From a human point of view it looked hopeless and silly. But it was God who promised this to Abraham, and Abraham believed God.
The promise was fulfilled, not through the Law, but through belief in the one who made the promise. Read v. 21 a few times and ask yourself if you really do believe that God can and will keep his promises. This is the God who raised his son Jesus from the dead. He is the promise-making and promise-keeping God.
Ponder the deep significance of salvation, redemption, justification and being right with God all being a gift of grace that comes by faith and trust. Verse 25 sums up the Gospel. As it was with Abraham, so it is with us. It all rests on God’s promises—and “no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Cor. 1:20).
Apply
Thank God for his faithfulness in keeping his promises. Pray for people close to you who struggle to believe God.
Closing prayer
Lord God, You are, indeed, a promise-keeping God. May it always be that I trust completely in Your great and gracious promises.
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