Facts, Faith, and the God Who Gives Life

The whole of 2016 held so much divine activity. What I mean by that is... unexplainable, heaven-sent things began happening with a frequency I could barely keep up with. I highlighted the scriptures, names and dates in my journal as best I could, so they'd stand out to me later (Enneagram 2w1 here haha). Threads of hope I could hold onto in the dark days.

A message taught at church one Sunday centered on Abraham and Sarah's story. Though she tried to hide her disbelief with a quiet chuckle, Sarah laughed when she overheard that she would conceive a son in her old age. The Lord responded, asking Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh... Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:13-14a)

Hearing these words left me in tears. The Lord was again, poignantly reminding me of His power to do that which seems impossible. He loves doing things that are wonderful and difficult in order to bring Himself glory. God’s gift of Isaac not only displayed His grace, it was also a clear revelation of how He delights in His own magnificent goodness. I prayed: Lord, delight in your goodness to me! For Your name's sake, do what You've promised. Nothing is too hard for You.

A friend texted me in March 2016: "Romans 4 was part of my reading today. Made me think of you and pray for you as I read it." So I went there and spent some time in study, going verse by verse to drink deep until my soul was filled.

What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (v. 3)

Seeing "believe" right out of the gate hooked me. More on the story behind that here.

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring... (v. 16a)

I liked the way the Message put it as well:

This is why the fulfillment of God’s promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God’s promise arrives as pure gift. (v. 16a)

Faith is not deserved. It's the channel of how we receive God’s grace and is simply the proper tool for trusting God’s provision. Faith and grace connect together because engaging in God’s promises are through His grace. And the only way to receive a promise is by faith.

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 into being things that were not. (v. 17)

Sarah had a dead womb. Inactive. Barren of life. But God gave life. He called her "fruitful" though it seemed she wasn't. I read through the Amplified version of this verse:

As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed.

My eyes hung on the words "foretold" and "promised".

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.” (v. 18)

When all hope, as a human possibility failed, Abraham placed his hope in God.

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. (v. 19)

Sure, Abraham had some anxious moments... just read the verse below. But God didn't count those against him.

Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” (Genesis 17:17-18)

Abraham faced the fact. What fact(s) do I need to face Lord? Facts about what my body is doing or not doing? My age? Unbalanced hormone levels? I can face these things and still not waiver in believing for what He has promised.

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. (vv. 20-21)

Faith doesn't refuse to face reality, but looks beyond all difficulties to God and His promises. Abraham was not just wistfully hoping that God might be able to fulfill His promise. He knew that what God promises, He always performs! Abraham's faith in God was resolved. But note that his faith wasn't merely in what had been promised, but in the God who had promised.

For He who has promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23b)

MacDonald wrote "Abraham didn't know how God would fulfill His word, but that was incidental. He knew God and had every confidence that God was fully able to do what He had promised. In one way it was wonderful faith, but in another way it was the most reasonable thing to do, because God’s word is the surest thing in the universe, and for Abraham there was no risk in believing it! — Believer's Bible Commentary

So encouraged, I closed my time of study with this prayer: I am fully persuaded Lord. I know without a doubt what You have spoken and promised to do. You have all power in heaven and earth to bring it to pass! So I will face the fact that my body isn't cooperating, but You are greater in me. I will face the fact that I am barren, but You give life to dead things. I will face the fact that this path feels lonely, but You are with me. Against all hope and by faith, I will believe for Your promise to be fulfilled. Amen.