Today’s Bible Verse
“But the words ‘it was counted to him’ were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord…”
Romans 4:23-24 (ESV)
Stronger Than You Think
In Romans 4, Paul writes about the faith of Abraham, which he describes as, “not weakening”, “not wavering”, “growing strong”, and “being fully convinced.” These descriptions of Abraham’s faith were meant to encourage us, but when we read them, we can also become discouraged. When we place our faith next to Abraham’s and start comparing, we feel we come up short. We find ourselves worrying about something, or being anxious about how something will turn out, and realize our faith does waver. We have doubts. We sometimes feel, “Too bad my faith isn’t as strong as Abraham’s.”
Paul doesn’t describe Abraham’s faith to shame ours. He describes Abraham’s faith to let us know that our faith is just as strong. Paul says that what was written about Abraham wasn’t, “for his [Abraham’s] sake alone.” In other words, he’s not putting Abraham on a pedestal. In fact, Paul says that describing Abraham’s faith is for our sake, and then explains why.
Paul says, “…to us who believe in [God] who raised from the dead Jesus…” Paul wants us to know that if we believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, we have the same kind of faith as Abraham did. Think about it. You and I believe that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, was buried, and three days later was raised from the dead. That’s not weak faith. That’s not insignificant faith. That’s resurrection faith! And if you can believe that God raised Jesus from the dead (something not everyone believes), your faith is strong enough to believe every other promise God gives to you in His Word.
Something to Think About
Kyle MacDonald wanted a house. He couldn’t afford one. But he got one using a red paperclip. On July 14, 2005, he traded his red paperclip for a fish-shaped pen, which he then traded for a hand-sculpted doorknob, then a Coleman camp stove. After making fourteen different trades, he acquired a two-story farmhouse in Kipling, Saskatchewan. Instead of tossing that paperclip into the trash, he put it to work toward his dream. Don’t discount your faith in God. Instead of telling yourself that your faith isn’t strong enough, put it to work, believing for God’s promises to come to pass in your life. Your faith is stronger than you know. (Pastor Davin Yokomori)
Today’s Declaration
I believe the God raised Jesus from the dead and because of this, I have strong, unwavering, resurrection faith. I know that God is for for me and will perform all He’s promised to me.
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Ezekiel 29-30; Job 10
- New Testament: John 10:1-10; 1 John 2:12-17
