“…who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father
of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”
And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead
(since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did
not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in
faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised
He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for
righteousness.” Romans 4:18-22 NKJV
Faith faces obstacles. Faith doesn’t try to avoid or escape difficulties.
Abraham faced the fact he was about a hundred years old and the deadness of his
wife’s womb. The promise of God was given to him that he would become a father
of many nations. He did not waver at the promise of God by the circumstances of
his own body and of his wife’s. He faced the fact that he would not able to
reproduce with their physical conditions.
However, he was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and fully convinced
that God was able to perform what he had promised. This is called a living
faith. Living faith is accompanied by the deeds and actions of faith. Living
faith is practice the faith into action on the basis of the promise of God.
Living faith is demonstrated by the people who are strengthened in the faith of
God’s promise and put it into practice. Faith without putting into practice is
dead (James 2:17). Living faith never stops growing. Faith grows through the obstacles
and difficulties which open doors for the faith to be perfected.
“But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is
dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his
son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works,
and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which
says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by
works, and not by faith only.” James 2:20-24 NKJV
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