by Pastor William Kang

Hi everyone, here’s my “devo” for today.  I hope you guys are following along. I hope what I wrote helps.

Romans 4:18-22

“The essence of Abraham’s faith in this case was that he believed that God could make the impossible possible. So long as we believe that everything depends on our efforts, we are bound to be pessimists, for experience has taught the grim lesson that our own efforts can achieve very little. When we realize that it is not our effort but God’s grace and power which matter, then we become optimists, because we are bound to believe that with God nothing is impossible.”

How does this passage show that Abraham’s faith was not merely foolish optimism? The text says that Abraham knew that he couldn’t have children (his body was as good as dead).  But he also believed that he will have a child because God promised it.  Abraham’s faith was not based on a feeling.  If it was then he would have been foolishly optimistic.  But Abraham believed in God’s promise.  He knew that God does not lie and that he is able to do what he promises, and so Abraham was not foolishly optimistic.  In fact, he was quite rational and he did the smart thing (he trusted God).

Reflect on the words “he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead,” “yet he did not waver through unbelief,” “was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,” and “being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”  What can I learn about the components or workings of faith from this? From these statements I think that faith includes the following ingredients.  First, it involves accepting reality, no matter how harsh, as true.  Abraham faced the fact that his body was a good as dead.  He didn’t think that there was a possibility this his own body and Sarah’s own body could produce a child.  Likewise, I need to accept my reality and embrace that it is true.  I can’t sugar coat my situation or pretend that it’s not happening.  Second, I need to persevere in my trust that God’s promises are true.  The text says that Abraham did not waver through unbelief.  Though he didn’t receive Isaac for many years, Abraham persevered in trusting that God will one day come through with his promises.  Likewise, I need to trust that one day God will come through on his promises.  I need to remember that God never promised that he’ll get me into the school of my choice or the job of my choice or the house of my choice or the spouse of my choice or even a spouse for that matter.  He never promised to fulfill all my dreams, and he never promised that bad things will never happen.  He did promise that He will be with me as I experience the highs and lows of my life.  He did promise to sanctify my character and my values.  He did promise to give me meaningful plan for my life that has an eternal purpose.  He did promise to give me eternal life.  And he promise to forgive me for my sins. Third, I need to remember that God strengthens my faith.  Hallelujah!  The text says that Abraham was strengthen in his faith, and so I know that because God is with me he is encouraging and strengthening my faith.  Truly, as Paul said, I live by faith in the son of God (Galatians 2:20).  Yes, I need to persevere in trusting God.  But sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes I want to give up because I don’t see God doing anything.   But it’s during those times that I can trust God to strengthen my faith.  And last, I need to trust that God comes through on his promises.  Abraham was fully persuaded that God can do what he promised.  By trusting in God I am not trusting someone who lies or someone who is falliable or unable.  I’m trusting in the one who has the power to forgive sin, to create life, to raise the dead, and to transform my character.  I must, then, walk my Christian life trusting that God is capable of doing this.

Are there some situations in my life to which I need to apply these components of faith?  With which component do I need most help? I think I need to do much better in facing and accepting my reality.  I am an optimist and I think one of the reasons why I’m an optimist is that I shield myself from bad news.  I don’t like to embrace reality because sometimes it’s a downer.  I’d rather focus on what I can do for God rather than on how sin is hurting the world.  It’s to my advantage if I accept reality because then I can partner up with God and actually try to do something about it.  If I ignore reality or try to sugar coat it then I may get away with it for a while, but the problem or issue will still remain or it may even get worse.