Romans 4:18-4:25 - Faith and Hope Persevere

Calvin (6/13/01-6/18/01)

4:18: In spite of all obstacles, of all the evidence of his eyes, yet, Abraham believed what God had promised. 'He against hope believed in hope.' His senses and his reason left him no remaining cause for hope, but the faith God gave him gave him all cause to hope in the God that promised, no matter how impossible the promise seemed. In times when despair beckoned, he turned his thoughts to God's promise. Notice how Paul quotes Scripture in a fashion that stirs us up to look into it further.
4:19: Abraham had considered the evidence, and saw in it nothing to suggest the likelihood of God's promise coming to pass. Thus, in faith, he worked the harder to take his mind off the evidence he could see, and focus on what God had said. It is clear from reading the Genesis account, in Chapters 17 & 18, that Abraham was as beyond the ability to procreate as Sarah, in spite of some opinions to the contrary. And the fact that he had many children after Isaac does nothing to counter the fact that he was unable prior. If he could not bring forth children in the vigor of youth, how likely was it to have occurred when he was old, and worn down by his many trials? There are two types of weakness in faith. The one will lead us to succumb to the trials we face, and allow ourselves to be removed from the support of God's power. The other is the result of the ever-present conflict between the faith in our spirit and the doubts in our flesh. This conflict may shake us hard, but in the end, faith will win out, so as to show us strong even in weakness.
4:20: He did not move in unbelief to question what God had promised. He did not distrust the word of the Lord so as to examine the evidence before accepting the statement. He questioned, yes, but in amazement, rather than doubt. And from that point, he moved on to belief, where doubt would move on to scoffing. This difference of attitude is the reason that Abraham's question brought no rebuke, but Sarah's did. Abraham questioned in belief, but Sarah in disbelief. The example for us today is clear enough. God promises immortality, but the world shows us death. He promises justification, but we see all our sins. He promises kindness and mercy, but we see only affliction and punishment. We must, like Abraham before us, close our eyes to the evidence that counters Him, and trust fully in His promise, and His power as able to accomplish. We must allow nothing to hinder us from believing that God is true. Where doubt questions whether God will or can do as promised, faith declares that He will, because He is true to His word, and He can, because He is all powerful. "No greater honor can be given to God, than by faith to seal His truth." 'It is hence the chief thing in honoring God, obediently to embrace His promises.'
4:21: All will see God as able to perform His word when there is no opposition, but how quick we are to forget all that when we see something in the way! In so forgetting His power, we dishonor Him. Yes, we will piously lay the blame to our own weakness, so as not to appear to suggest that He is unable. Yet, in this, we declare that He is not strong enough to overcome our weaknesses, and once more, we attempt to place the control in our own hands, where it can only fail. Abraham displayed a faith that surpassed this, and stood firm in the face of opposition. This is the true faith of a true believer, that will recognize that God is continually exercising His power, that His hand is always ready to do that which His mouth has declared.
4:22: Now, it is made clear that Abraham's faith brought righteousness because it depended on God's word. "Faith can bring us nothing more than what it receives from the Word." It is not sufficient to know and believe that God is true. This alone will not save anybody. Rather, faith must lay hold of the promises declared by the words of the One true God.
4:23: As one example does not prove a truth, Paul makes certain to us that the example of Abraham was indeed an example of righteousness applicable to all. Indeed, we ought to learn from the examples of history, even as non-Christians have pointed out. However, it needs the rules and understanding given in Scripture to obtain accurate lessons from that history. To these rules, Scripture adds also clear rules for things both to do, and not to do, and furthermore serves to reveal God's providence, justice, and goodness toward His people, and His judgment upon the wicked. What is recorded of Abraham was not intended to promote him as a unique case, but to display by his example how we all ought to attain to righteousness. The examples given in Scripture, serve to teach us how to live our lives, to strengthen our faith, and to serve the Lord. The first is taught as we look at the lives of the saints; sober, chaste, loving, patient, balanced, free of jealousy and greed. The second, we learn as we consider God's protection given to them in all their trials. Even God's judgments upon wickedness serve to teach us, stirring us to reverence and devotion, as they build a holy fear within us. Some look at this verse as intending to be a memorial to God's servant, as well as an example to us. (Pr 10:7 - The blessed will be remembered, but the wicked will be forgotten). However, it seems a better fit to say that it was not so fitting to single out his example [as it would stir up pridefulness], but that we needed an example to guide us in our own justification.
4:24: As had been said, the example was given so that we might believe in God. But, belief in God, of and to itself, would not be sufficiently shown in Abraham's example had not Christ been put forth as the basis of that hope that faith has. In Him we find the source of righteousness.
4:25: Footnote: It is argued that the 'because of' our transgressions is a poor translation, weakening the intended impact. The 'because of' ought to more clearly display Christ's atoning sacrifice for our sins, not because of them, but as ransom for them. (Mt 20:28 - The Son of Man came to ransom many by His life. 1Ti 2:6 - He gave Himself as ransom for all. Heb 9:28 - Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. 1Jn 2:2 - He is the propitiation for our sins). The doctrine of justification is expanded now, to see its full base in Christ. Christ's death, indeed, was our justification. He paid the penalty due us in accord with God's plan, and without the shedding of His blood, justice could not be served. By His resurrection, He made clear what He had accomplished in His death; He made us to be aware that His death had brought our justification. (Is 53:5 - He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, chastised, that we might be at peace, scourged that we might be healed.) Furthermore, by His example, we see the end to which justification is aimed, life eternal. "The beginning of righteousness is to be reconciled to God, and its completion is to attain life by having death abolished." His death must needs have been accompanied by His victorious conquering of the curse of sin, so as to rise up to be our Intercessor before the throne of God. Footnote: Chalmers has well pointed out the similarity to the earthly justice system that this passage illustrates. Christ's death and His resurrection are attributed to God. It was God who sentenced Christ to the imprisonment of death, and it was God who sent to open the prison gates, that Christ might walk free. As with the jailer who opens the gate to set the prisoner free, that act declares the debt paid and justice satisfied. The passage does not refer to the newness of life that comes to the believer. That is dealt with elsewhere. Rather the two halves of this sentence must be seen as referring to the same basic issue. His death delivered us from our punishment, and His return to life brings our justification to completeness, fully restoring our life to us. The whole still refers to the imputation of justification.

Matthew Henry (6/15/01)

4:18: No hope could be found by Abraham in the surroundings of his life. All that the physical realm offered denied the possibilities of the promise fulfilled. Yet, he found hope in the word of God, displaying an extraordinary faith in God, so as to stand a proper example for us who follow after. (Ge 15:2-6 - Abraham, having pointed to his own situation - childless, and likely to have his slave as heir - is told by God that his children shall be (in Matthew Henry's words) 'so innumerable, so illustrious' as the stars. This promise of God, Abraham turned from his considerations to believe, and so, was declared righteous by the God he believed.)
4:19: As so often proves the case, God had put to death all possible roads to His promised blessing before bringing the promise to pass. As with Abraham, so with Joseph, who was brought to slavery, before God fulfilled the promise of his ruling. (Ge 17:17 - Abraham laughed to consider himself becoming a father when already a century old). But it was a laugh of admiration, as his faith looked past the impossibility to the One who promised. It is weakness of faith in which we contemplate the impossibilities that lie between us and the promise. It might seem like wisdom, but it is only weakness.
4:20: Knowing God to be the primary, or efficient, cause of what would come, he didn't bother considering the secondary causes or means by which God might so bring it to pass. Without any hesitation, he put his full trust in that promise, accepting no debate in regard to it. "It is not the promise that fails, but our faith that fails when we stagger." A weak faith will not be rejected, yet a strong faith will certainly be commended. (1Jn 5:10b - The one that will not believe God dishonors Him by considering Him a liar. Jn 3:33 - The one that believes God, declares that God is true, and so honors Him.) Even among men, we are considered as honoring the one to whom we give credit and trust. So much more did Abraham honor God by trusting Him. This faith is that which Jesus ever commended (Mt 8:10 - Truly, I have not found such great faith in anyone in Israel. Mt 15:28 - Woman, your faith is great, what you ask will be granted. And so, her daughter was healed.) God honors faith because faith honors God.
4:21: His faith is compared to the ship that comes into harbor full sail. He saw the storms ahead, but trusted his Pilot, and so made all speed for the harbor of the promise. He knew his God omnipotent, and so had nothing left for doubt. To know God faithful will not suffice to keep us firm amidst trials and opposition. We must know Him able, as well.
4:22: Because his confidence was so great, God not only accepted and answered him, but did even more than He had promised. Because Abraham so glorified God by his immediate trust, God justified him, even though that trust in itself had nothing to merit his justification. It remained God's gracious gift, and in that grace He is glorified the more.
4:23: Lest we should err, and conclude that this was a singular account applicable only to Abraham, Paul declares plainly that his path stands as the example for us. The OT is not just a history book, but it is the record of precedents set to guide us. (1Co 10:11 - They were written as examples and instructions for us to follow. Ro 15:4 - Whatever was written before, was written for our instruction to encourage us to perseverance and hope.) So, Abraham's example stands as indication to us that righteousness ever depends on God's grace, for Jew and for Gentile, for us today and for the patriarchs of our faith, for God is ever the same.
4:24: As righteousness was imputed to Abraham, so it will be so long as there remains a church of God. Though Abraham believed in a Christ yet to come, and we must believe in a Christ already come, the faith in God's promise remains the same. Isaac was typical of Christ in being raised from a dead womb. (Heb 11:19 - He considered that God could raise the dead, and so received Isaac back from the altar as a type of Christ.) Our belief must be in the One who raised Christ from death, and upon His grace in accepting Christ as the surety for our own salvation.
4:25: The Father delivered the Son, and the Son delivered Himself, to be the required sacrifice for our sins. He died a criminal, but for our sins, not His own. And so, He made the atonement required to satisfy justice on our account. In His death, he paid the price for our sins, and so, was put in the prison of the grave, as justice required. But on the third day, the warden was sent to free the Prisoner, so making clear to all that justice had been fully served. (Ro 8:34 - Does somebody condemn us? Ah, but Christ - Him who died, and was raised again [declaring justice served] stands in the court to intercede for us!) Clearly, then, our justification hinges not on our merit, but on our obedient dependence upon the righteousness of Christ. Here, then, is 'the great spring and foundation of all our comfort.'

Adam Clarke (6/16/01)

4:18: Abraham's faith was based in the power of God's faithfulness, for his circumstance gave no basis for hope, and yet he believed what had been spoken.
4:19: He saw his age, his wife's age, and her history of barrenness as well. But in spite of all this, he saw in God's promise a thing to believe in. God is almighty, and can do as He wills. And, since God cannot lie, we, as he, can believe. His confident faith glorified God, as it acknowledged that God was faithful and able to do as He promised.
4:20: no comments.
4:21: His soul was full of confidence in God's truthfulness and His ability to perform His promise.
4:22: It was this display of faith in God that God responded to, granting to Abraham 'a title to the divine blessing.' Being as he was prior to this an idolater, there was no other ground for the granting of that title. Nothing is said directly of righteousness here, neither Abraham's nor Christ's imputed to Abraham. Rather, it is Abraham's faith that is pointed to as the reason for his justification. How so? Because his faith trusted in the merit of Christ yet to come, seeing in this the good intentions of God.
4:23: The record of Abraham is not intended solely to honor him.
4:24: Rather, we have here the example for all who would be saved. For salvation must be by faith through Christ. "If God, therefore, wills our salvation, it must be by faith; and faith contemplates His promise, and His promise comprehends the Son of His love."
4:25: He, the innocent one, was delivered to death for our sins. No other purpose can be imagined for His being delivered up. In resurrection, we have the assurance that His death accomplished its purpose: our reconciliation with God. Scripture declares that His death was an atonement for the sin of the world. (Ro 3:25 - God displayed Him as a propitiation through His blood through faith. Ro 5:6 - He died at the right time for the ungodly, even when we remained helpless. Ro 5:10 - We were reconciled to God by His death while still enemies. Moreso, we will be saved by His life. Eph 1:7 - In His blood we have redemption and forgiveness. Eph 5:2 - Christ loved us, and gave Himself up for us as a sacrifice to God. Col 1:14 - In Him we have redemption and forgiveness. Col 1:20 - God reconciled all things to Himself through Christ, who made peace by the blood of His cross, both the earthly and the heavenly, Col 1:22 - in order to present you before God holy and blameless. 1Ti 2:6 - He gave Himself as the ransom for all, Ti 2:14 - to redeem us from our lawless deeds, and purify a people for Himself. Heb 10:10 - By God's will we have been sanctified through the offering of Jesus Christ once for all. Heb 9:28 - Having been offered once for the sins of many, he will return for salvation free of sin to those who wait for Him. Eph 2:13 - By His blood, we who were once far removed have been brought close. Eph 2:16 - He reconciled both Jew and Gentile to God through the cross. 1Pe 1:18-19 - Your redemption was not accomplished by perishable offerings and the like, but with the precious blood of Christ. Rev 5:9 - Worthy are You, for You bought with Your blood a people for God drawn from every nation.) As His death was the atonement, so His resurrection was the pledge of our eternal life. (1Co 15:17 - If He has not been raised, our faith is worthless, and our sins remain upon us. 1Pe 1:3 - God has caused our rebirth into hope through Christ's resurrection. Eph 1:13-14 - Having heard the true message of gospel salvation and believed, you are sealed in Him by the Holy Spirit, given as a pledge of your inheritance, redeemed as God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.) Recognizing that all have sinned, and that none can pay the penalty for his neighbor's sins, God in His mercy presented us with Christ, who by His death purchased our pardon. He offers it to us on the simple grounds of our believing His death sufficient, and bringing that belief before God's throne. It is that faith in the sacrifice that will be imputed to you as righteousness, allowing you to receive the salvation Christ's blood has bought. There is no ground here for the idea of Christ's imputed righteousness. His righteousness was a natural product of His immaculate nature, and certainly provided Him with the qualifications to be our Mediator (1Ti 2:5 - There is one God, and one Mediator between Him and man; Christ Jesus). However, His death was not due to obedience to the Law, but rather, was a free-will offering. The Law, once broken, no longer required obedience, but only death. Scripture does not support the idea that Christ's personal righteousness is imputed to each believer, nor that He has fulfilled the moral duties of the Law in our place. It clearly supports the fact that He died in our place, and that redemption is impossible except through His blood. There are any number of requirements of the moral law that Christ did not, and could not fulfill on our behalf, most notably those of domestic relationship. But He does give us grace to fulfill them to God's glory. Our salvation binds us to conform to that moral law. To claim Christianity and yet not perform all Christian duty is the act of either a hypocrite or an Antinomian.

Barnes' Notes (6/17/01)

4:18: Against the lack of any apparent ground for hope, he yet believed in the hope proffered by the promise of God (Ge 15:5 - Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars.)
4:19: He did not allow his body's aged state to influence him towards doubting God. "Faith looks to the strength of God, not to second causes." Physically, he was well beyond the age at which childbirth might be expected (Heb 11:12 - he was as good as dead. Ge 17:17 - Will You indeed bring children to a man 100 years old and a woman of ninety? Heb 11:11 - By faith, Sarah conceived well after the proper time of life. Ge 18:11 - Sarah was past childbearing.)
4:20: His confidence in God gave glory to God. "All who believe in the promises of God do honor to Him. They bear testimony to Him that He is worthy of confidence."
4:21: He was thoroughly convinced that God would do as He said. (Ro 14:5 - Whether you regard some days as greater, or all as equal, be you fully convinced in your mind. 2Ti 4:5 - Be sober in all things, endure, evangelize, and fulfill your ministry. 2Ti 4:17 - The Lord stood by me to strengthen me, so that the proclaiming of the gospel might be fully accomplished. Ge 18:14 - Is anything too difficult for the LORD? Heb 11:19 - He considered God as able to raise from the dead, and so received Isaac back.)
4:22: His faith was so unwavering, and demonstrably so, that it was recognized as a proof of full friendship with God, and so he was treated by God. (This is not the proof for imputed righteousness, which is defined by Ro 4:3, and Ro 4:5).
4:23: The record of Abraham's faith was written to show us all the way to be treated as righteous by God. "God has but one mode of justifying people." God regarded Abraham as a friend, and so treated him.
4:24: He is our example, our encouragement whom we ought to imitate so as to be similarly accepted. (Ro 15:4 - All that was written, was written for our instruction, encouragement, and hope. 1Co 10:11 - These things happened as an example to us who live at the end of the age.) Faith is shown in believing exactly what God has revealed. Though we have more revealed to us in this day than Abraham did, it is the same faith that takes God at His word in those revelations. Footnote: As Scripture points out (Gal 3:8 - Foreseeing the justification of the Gentiles by faith, God preached the Gospel to Abraham beforehand), God's promise to Abraham already contained the seed of the Gospel, and so his faith was very much the same as ours today. The prime truths God makes known to us today are that it was His Son who died, that He raised His Son back to life, and that through Him, God has declared Himself ready to pardon us. Believing this, we show that we, too, are friends of God. (Mk 16:16 - He who has believed and been baptized shall be saved.)
4:25: He was delivered up to death (Ac 2:23 - by God's predetermined plan, at the hands of godless men) to account for our sins. Raised from that death, He completed the work, fully reconciling us to Him. Since the atonement was made by His death, what is it that resurrection adds? Firstly, His work would have been incomplete without the resurrection, for death would have remained an unconquered enemy. Secondly, His resurrection provided proof of God's acceptance of His sacrifice, and so gave us greater assurance in our justification. Finally, in His resurrection, we find the source of all our hopes, of life and immortality. (2Ti 1:10 - By Christ Jesus, death has been abolished, and life and immortality brought to light. 1Pe 1:3 - He has caused us to be reborn in living hope through Christ's resurrection from the dead.) This promise is the greatest motivator to seek the offered justification, and no proof of its possible fulfillment can be offered except the resurrection of Christ Jesus. (1Th 4:14 - If we believe He died and rose again, it must become clear to us that He will bring those who have died in Christ to Him as well. Jn 14:19 - Because I live, you shall live also. 1Pe 1:21 - Through Him, we are believers in God who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him. Thus, our faith and hope are in God.)

Wycliffe (6/18/01)

4:18: Knowing such a God, Abraham was able to believe, with no regard to human expectations.
4:19: Because his faith was strong, he was able to face the reality of his body's physical state without losing confidence in God. Nor did Sarah's age appear to him as any great obstacle to God's power.
4:20: In the face of these things, he did not doubt, but rather found his faith strengthened. Where unbelief 'puts one at variance with himself,' faith believing brings strength. And in that strengthening faith, God is glorified.
4:21: Since 'to promise' is put in the perfect tense, the indication is that Abraham's faith was so strong that he considered himself as already in possession of the promise.
4:22: Such was the nature of that faith that was considered as righteousness in him.
4:23: No comments.
4:24: Abraham's example is given to guide us, for our righteousness will be reckoned based on our being in the process of trusting Him who raised Jesus from the dead. This also provides a difference between the faith of Abraham, and the faith of the Christian today, for today we have an historic revealing of God's power to bolster faith, which Abraham had not.
4:25: Note that it is God who both handed Christ over to be crucified, and who raised Him from death. Without God's call, this might be seen as no more than the unusual event of Christ dying and rising again. But the eye of the Christian sees the reason in it, knowing He died for my sins, our sins. Both His death and His resurrection were necessary, the latter as it returned Him alive to testify of His completed work, and to plead our cause.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown (6/18/01)

4:18: His faith was not in the matter of his fathering many nations, rather his fathering of many nations was the result of his faith. And this result was in accord with what God had spoken (Ge 15:5 - as the stars of the heavens...)
4:19: He paid no attention to physical obstacles to the promise's fulfillment.
4:20: His faith was strengthened, giving glory to God by his belief in God's ability to make good His word in spite of all obstacles.
4:21: The glory of his faith was in his firm persuasion of God's ability.
4:22: His faith was imputed as righteousness, not because of any merit in him, but simply because he believed.
4:23: His record is not to be taken as simple history, but as an illustration of God's method of justification for all times.
4:24: The difference lies in our believing in God having raised Christ our Lord from death, where Abraham believed in the promised seed that would bless all nations.
4:25: Christ's resurrection was a divine assurance that by His death, He had put away all our sins. The doctrine of justification by works must stand opposed to true religion, for it promotes pride and self-aggrandizement, whereas true religion promotes humility. The true means of justification has been the same through all times, as testified to by both the Old and the New Testament. In the matter of justification, faith and works stand as polar opposites (Ro 11:6 - If it is by grace, it cannot be by works, or grace wouldn't be grace). Works cannot justify the ungodly, for recognizing our state, we must despair of working our way to justification, and embrace the gift God has provided in faith. As with circumcision, so the sacraments of the Church must be seen not as conferring grace or salvation, but as sealing a salvation already brought about by other means, by God's grace. All who hear and accept of true religion will joyously trace their history back to the day that God first appeared to Abraham (Ac 7:2 - God appeared to him in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran.) Simple faith best glorifies God, and moreso the greater the seeming hopelessness. All of Scripture serves to encourage faith. (Ro 15:4 - All was written to instruct, so that we might persevere, and be encouraged to have hope by its encouragement.) Justification and sanctification must not be confused. In this current section of Romans, it is justification alone that is in sight. This justification is a change in the objective state of man from guilty to acquitted. The subjective change of character may not occur immediate upon this acquittal, but is rather to product of sanctification, a topic addressed elsewhere in this letter.

New Thoughts (6/20/01-6/21/01)

"Faith looks to the strength of God, not to second causes." This is the message Mr. Barnes gives us out of this passage. This is yet another lesson we need to learn from Abraham. Somewhere in here is a balance, though, and I'm not certain where. Abraham heard directly from God as to what He was promising. He certainly did not ignore the physical facts surrounding his present circumstance. But he added to that one fact, and that one fact overrode all other considerations. He looked to the fact that God was the one promising, that God would be the one doing whatever needed to be done to bring the promise to fruition. And in this, he recognized that God could quite easily do whatever was needful, and was certainly faithful to His word. What faith is required to believe God able to do that which we simply do ourselves? We may or may not feel His blessing is upon our endeavors, but it's no function of faith. It's rather like the command to love your neighbors. To do favors for a friend, or for one we know will repay us is an easy thing. The test lies in loving the one you don't particularly like. So with faith. The test lies in trusting God in those places where we see no possibility of the thing being accomplished. When, as Mr. Henry describes it, God has put to death all possible roads to His promised blessing, will we still believe? Will I?

It's a question I'd prefer not to have to answer, but I know too well that the answer is often no. As I looked back on the comments of a year ago, I see that much has not changed in situations we face in my family. Much appears to be worse than it was. Yet, in timely fashion, by way of a study I was preparing for home group, I'm reminded of the lesson of the snow shovel. Despair beckons from the end of the work, calling us to look upon the impossible distance we have yet to cover to reach our goal. But faith is able to take a backward glance, and see how much further our starting point is from us, than our goal is! God has blessed us not only with the history of people we've never known, but he also blesses us with our own history to stand as a record of His gracious providence towards us. In times of despair, where shall we turn? Nehemiah certainly knew such times as he labored to rebuild Jerusalem. Moses certainly knew such times as he labored to bring Israel through the desert. Jesus certainly knew such times as He looked upon Jerusalem and saw how many rejected the offer of salvation. But in those times when despair called to them, suggesting they ought to pack it in and admit the situation as hopeless, they didn't listen. Instead, their thoughts turned to God's promises, and to the God who had promised, and despair was changed to resolute faith. Ever and again, God promises us things that seem impossible. Ever and again, hearing the promise, we try our utmost to bring those things to pass, putting our every effort into it. Ever and again, those efforts fail, as we knew they must, seeing the impossibility of it all. God honors that effort, when it is done with a right heart. He neither asks nor expects us to cease from all efforts, and leave it to Him. He is not fond of sluggards. But, He does expect us to lean fully upon Him in the efforts we make, to allow Him to guide our energies to their proper uses. And when we do this, He will assuredly cause all His will to come to pass in our regard. Frankly, He'd cause all His will to come to pass if we didn't do our part. He is, after all, omnipotent. But, we'd certainly miss the blessing, in that case, even if it came our way, for we'd not recognize its arrival. We'd be as the residents of Jerusalem at Christ's coming, having the whole of the promise delivered into our hands, and not even realizing what had come. And so, God's will complete, the blessing departs with us none the wiser, and none the better.

The question, then, is what shall we do when despair beckons, as it surely will? Will we display a weakness of faith? Doubtless. We are fallen flesh, and far from the perfection that we will one day know. We are human, and we will surely see the impossibilities that stand between us and the promised blessing. And such considerations already display a weakness of faith, which, in turn, implies a strengthening of unbelief. And we know that unbelief is sin. But what shall we do in the face of that sin of unbelief? Calvin points out two types of weakness in faith, and the difference lies in the response to that question. Will we succumb to our trials, give in to our temptations, and quit our path? If so, we have removed ourselves from God's supporting power, and have nothing left us but our own meager strength. Surely, that path is bound to fail. Or, will we see our weakness and turn all the more fervently to our God to save, our God to forgive, our God to be God? In the face of despair, will we take the path of Judas or of Peter? Both had great cause for despair, but only one recognized the Truth in that situation.

Only once recognized that God's hand (as Calvin said) is always ready to do what His mouth has declared. He is not a man, that He should lie. Rather, He is Truth, and He cannot lie. What has He promised in His word? These are sure and trustworthy things. And, with those promises in hand, faith will return to God's own words in Ge 18:14: "Is anything too difficult for the LORD?" Faith will return to that, and see the only possible answer: "No, nothing." God, how I need to see that today. Jesus, I pray that You would send word to me through the Holy Spirit, that You would burn into my heart the truth of this simple thing. I need to fully and finally know that You, Father are both willing and able to do all that You have declared in Your word. I need to fully and finally know that both in the blessings, and in the warnings. I need to fully and finally know that You don't say other than what You mean, and that You will bring punishment upon such things as You have declared You will, and You will bring mercy to those situations You have promised to bring mercy to. I stand, dear Lord, upon the promise You have made in regard to Your Son, in regard to the One who stands before You to plead my case, oh God. I ask Your forgiveness for the weakness and despair I've allowed myself to fall into, for the foolish and self-destructive choices I've been making of late. Father, cleanse me once more. I need to know Your Holy Spirit with me throughout the day, oh Lord. I need to be able to hold that breastplate of righteousness before my eyes; to look my temptations, my weaknesses, and my doubts in the face and see only that reminder that You have declared me "holy unto the Lord."

I also wanted to take note of what the Wycliffe commentary points out. The wording of verse 21 is such as to indicate that Abraham's faith in the promise was such as considered himself already to possess that promise. Elsewhere we have it noted that God, in speaking the promise forth, spoke of it as a thing already done and certain. Here, we see the faith of Abraham holding that promise in the same light in which it was spoken. There is a certainty of God's doing what He has truly promised. One must be careful, here, to distinguish what He has promised from what we have whispered in our own ears and claimed as His voice. The words of Scripture are trustworthy. The words of our heart, on the other hand, need testing against Scripture. Does God still speak directly to His people today? I have to believe He does, for He has before, and He doesn't change. So He, Himself declares. Ah, but how often do we pass along our own thoughts and desires as His. And how often do we then demand that He honor them? How often do we demand that He do even that which He has promised? Be careful, little mouth, what you say! I cannot possibly sanction any man demanding of God his due. I would not want, in any case, to have my due from God, for I know that my due is condemnation, but for His grace. There's one promise I doubt not, no matter the impossibilities! For in that case, at least, I've realized that it won't come by my doing, and it wouldn't have been promised to me, if I were such as wouldn't at least try. Clarke tells us that "if God, therefore, wills our salvation, it must be by faith; and faith contemplates His promise, and His promise comprehends the Son of His love." If this were the only promise I were certain of from Him, it would already be more than enough! He has saved me from what I was by nature. He has cleansed my sins, and does so continually, even as I have need continually. He considers my sanctification as a thing already done and accomplished, even as the promise to Abraham. He sees the end from the beginning. Oh! That I might also see that promised sanctification as Abraham saw, as a thing already accomplished in and my possession!

Salvation is by faith, and faith looks to God's promise, recognizing Him as true to His word. And that promise that we have placed our faith in looks to His Son. "It is hence the chief thing in honoring God, obediently to embrace His promises," Calvin tells us. And if there remains any doubt in our mind, He has granted Christ's resurrection to assure us that He wasn't kidding. He granted us the witnessed witness of the resurrection so that we might know that the object of our faith was solid, and that the promise founded on that solid rock of Christ was as sure as God Himself. On the third day, the One who had been imprisoned to pay for our sins, our crimes against God's rule, was freed from His imprisonment. And so, the Judge declared for all to see that justice had been served, the penalty paid in full. He set the Prisoner free to tell us of the court's decision. And not only that, but He elevated that Prisoner to serve in that very court, to be our Defense Attorney against all future charges that might be brought. And ever, the defense He brings is the same: "I've already taken care of that, Your Honor."

God honors faith because faith honors God. May I bring honor to You, oh Lord, by my faith. Might I find myself fully trusting my Lord Jesus has faithfully conveyed to You the concerns of my heart, and the love I have for You. Might I know beyond doubt, in spite of what may come, that You have both heard and answered.