Romans 4:17-22

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Permalink Reply by gabby dearman on May 15, 2008 at 2:39pm

Hey, great topic! I am so loving this site, and the opportunity to have discussions with our church family in this way.

I love this scripture. It reminds me that God sees what I cannot see. He sees who I am becoming, and who I will become. He has a vision for my life and is guiding me to it. No matter what the circumstances in my life are, they are not greater than the Hand of God.

I like the phrase in vs. 18, "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed..." I am sure to Abraham the idea of being a father of many nations seemed absolutely ridiculous based on the circumstance of his and Sarah's age. There seemed to be no hope that was evident. However, God was working behind the scenes. He saw the bigger picture. God used his power to bless Abraham and Sarah with a child. Doesn't matter that it can't happen in the natural as we understand it -- hope in this case was supernatural.

So, I can take all that and apply it to my own life. Things may look really crummy sometimes.. and to be honest things have been difficult in my life recently. But against all hope, I, in hope can believe that God sees something(s) bigger than what I see. He sees who I really am in Christ, and He knows how the world around me can change with one move of His hand, one word from His mouth! So... I gotta remember things aren't as hopeless as I often think they are.

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Permalink Reply by Penni Hastings on May 15, 2008 at 4:02pm

Good one, Steven R!
WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE has been hovering in my spirit over this past month and I am now stepping into my promised land! I love that God is challenging us to climb the mountain and see things from His perspective!

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Permalink Reply by Dean Sweetman on May 15, 2008 at 8:07pm

Rom 4:17-22
17 That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, "I have made you the father of many nations." F19 This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who brings into existence what didn't exist before. 18 When God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, Abraham believed him. God had also said, "Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars," F20 even though such a promise seemed utterly impossible! 19 And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though he knew that he was too old to be a father at the age of one hundred and that Sarah, his wife, had never been able to have children. 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised. 22 And because of Abraham's faith, God declared him to be righteous.

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Permalink Reply by Adam Parker on May 15, 2008 at 9:57pm

the inspiration in this scripture to me that I think gets overlooked is that Abraham had to make a daily choice to continue in his faith of what God had promised him. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Faith is something that we can build with our consistency to stay in His word and His presence.
Ps. Dean's "waiting on God" quickie message this past wednesday was a wonderful example of staying/ building in faith by being in His presence. The thing I get out of here is not just to not waiver in your faith, but to not waiver in your routine of being with Him and in His word...

just my two pennies

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Permalink Reply by Pat Ellis on May 15, 2008 at 10:01pm

Being older (50+) you think your life is pretty settled, you're settled in your church home, you're settled in your marriage, job, etc. You are comfortable and think you will continue on this path until you're called home. But you never know when God will decide that he has something else for you and makes major changes in your life to start you out on a different path. You pray about whatever changes have come and when God answers & tells you it was his plan you step out onto the new path and start moving foward. It can be very scary when these changes come but I find comfort in the fact that this is the way God works. As Abraham was experiencing a major difference in his life at the age of 100, how much easier it will be on us at our age to adjust to whatever comes our way. You are never too old for God to take an active part in your life and set you on a new path for greater things. Embrace change.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Dowell on May 15, 2008 at 10:45pm

In the NKJ version the last part of verse 17 says:"...God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did."
That part has spoken to me on so many different levels. When I face a impossible situation physically, financially, relationally, etc. and I can see no solution or end to my current situation, this verse reminds me of something.
My God is the God of the Impossible! There is nothing He can't get done, He is all powerful and full of creative power. He gives life to the dead. Not only physically but I believe that can mean He breathes life into old visions and dreams that we may have had, but had given up on. My God is big enough to breath into a marriage and bring life where there seems to be none.
When I think about that then I can boldly look into any situation and say my god CAN! As I pray and speak in faith according to what God has personally told me and the promises I see in the Bible then I know it will come to pass. I know that no matter how it appears in the physical my God is a all powerful supernatural god who CAN. This verse gives me unbelievable hope, the ability to stand strong no matter the attack, test, trial, pressure, stress, situation that I might find myself and my family in.
Thank you God for loving me and giving me hope. Thank you for giving me the strength to see myself to the other side of whatever I face.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Dowell on May 17, 2008 at 9:57am

Thanks to everyone who responded, that was exactly what I was looking for. It is simply amazing how alive the bible is and how one small section of verses can say so much and speak right to whatever situation you find your self in.

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