Abraham, Father of Our Faith

Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him saying: “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. -Genesis 17:3-5

Romans 4:16 calls Abraham our father of faith. God made a covenant with Abraham, saying, “I have made you the father of many nations.” He didn’t say, “I will make you.” He said, “I have made you.”

You see, God always calls those things that be not as though they were. (Rom. 4:17.) He talks about what doesn’t exist as though it already existed. That’s why it’s all right for us to do the same. We’re not lying; we’re just following God’s example.

God told Abraham, “I have made you the father of many nations.” Remember, He was talking to a 100-year-old man and his 90-year-old wife! Abraham and Sarah were past the age for having children. Medically speaking, it was impossible.

Abraham could have said, “Now, God, I appreciate Your enthusiasm, but we’re a little old to have a baby. Why don’t You talk to the nice young couple down the street who already have four kids!”

But Abraham didn’t act that way. He had a deep awe and respect for Almighty God. In the natural, the situation looked hopeless, but Abraham believed what God said. That’s the key, Abraham had to believe what God said before he could become what God said. “[Abraham] against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken…” (v. 18).

When it comes to your faith walk, you’re no different than the father of faith. You have to believe what God has said about you before you can become what God has called you.

CONFESSION:

God says that by Jesus’ stripes, I am healed, and I believe His Word. So when symptoms come against me, I call those things that be not as though they were: I am healed!

From: A Devotional for Divine Health Prescription for a Miracle, Mark Brazee, 1999