From our archived blog:
Right now I (David) am reading through the book of Romans for my devotions in the mornings. Just started last week and on chapter 4. Yes I'm a little slow ;). This morning as I was reading through chapter 4 a phrase about Abraham's faith jumped out at me, but I'll get to that in just a moment. First a little context. Paul is in full swing talking about the law and faith. He comes to Abraham. Toward the end of the chapter he says:
He [Abraham] did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God. ~Romans 4:19-20 [My emphasis]This is of course referring to God's promise to make Abraham the father of many nations. At the point God made this promise, science, common knowledge, and all that makes sense to us humanly was working against Abraham. Or more specifically God's promise. Paul even uses the language "he was as good as dead". I always smile when I see the parenthesis and explanation as to say he was not being disrespectful just real. Not only was Abraham old (beyond really being able to conceive a child), but Sarah was also old and barren their entire marriage. Surely if God were going to make Abraham the father of many nations it would have happened by now or at least by human reasoning. The phrase in bold is what jumped out at me. After Paul recounted that Abraham's unbelief did not cause him to waver concerning God's promise it says how. "... he grew strong in the his faith as he gave glory to God." It reminds me of a song my mom used to sing the chorus of:
When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the LORD hath done. Refrain: Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will keep singing as the days go by. When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings—money cannot buy Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. So, amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.Faith grows strong by giving glory to God; rather then to myself or my circumstances.