A Devotional by Pastor Cesar Castellanos

Today’s Bible Verse

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.”

Romans 4:20

Knowing the God of Abraham

Paul says that Abraham never became weak in his faith, and never allowed doubt to enter into his mind (Romans 4:19). One of the strategies the enemy uses is to release seeds of doubt into people’s minds. He knows that if the person accepts those seeds, it will sprout and produce fruit, which will lead to destruction. The seed of doubt is closely linked to fear, and it leads people to frustration and failure.

Abraham was a man who had an intimate relationship with God, so much so that he was even called a friend of God. In other words, God revealed His secret plans to him, through which the Lord directed his life. Abraham believed and acted according to every word that was released from the mouth of God. When God promised him a son, Abraham immediately believed in that promise. He would have to continually confess the promise, even in the midst of the most adverse circumstances. As a result, when the right time came, the Lord fulfilled His promise and gave Abraham a son.

Having the God of Abraham involved in our lives, implies that we have to act like Him. Many times, we want all the benefits that Abraham received, but we are not willing to pay the price that he paid for them. When God called him, he said, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). The life of a human being can be summed up into three different areas: land, family, and circle of influence. The Lord was asking Abraham to be willing to lay down each of these areas of his life at that point. Even though God did not show him the exact path his future would take, he was obedient. The only thing that Abraham had to hold on to was the promise that God had spoken to him. Through this promise He was effectively saying, “Follow me and as you move forward, I will show you the way to your destination.” (Author’s paraphrase)

Abraham relied on God. “Abram believed the Lord, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). He placed all of his trust in God, and he did not dare take a step without first having the Lord’s direction. He was not justified for keeping the law, but because he lived a life of faith. In return for his life of faith, God entered into a covenant with him and with his descendants. The Lord was pleased that this man had put aside all of his self-reliance, his strength to conquer, and even his ability to trade and make money, in order to totally depend on Him.

Something to Think About

Dr. Robert Shuller drew a parallel between failure and success. He said, “Failure doesn’t necessarily mean you fail, but that you are not successful yet. Failure doesn’t mean you gain nothing, but that you have learned something. Failure doesn’t mean you are stupid ever to try. It indicates you are brave, determined and have a strong spirit so be proud of yourself. Failure doesn’t mean you will not achieve any success but it will take some patience. Failure doesn’t mean you are finished but that you still have opportunities to start again and to try looking for something new. Failure doesn’t mean God has deserted you but that He has a better plan for you so it is very true that failure will never cease to exist.”

Prayer

Dear God, I am so grateful to You for revealing Yourself in my life as the God of Abraham. I thank You for helping me overcome every battle in my mind so that fear cannot seize me. I also thank You because I was able to get over the doubt in my life, and my heart is set on walking the path of faith, which leads me to know You, just like Abraham knew You. You are the God who can do all things. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Declaration

“Because I did not allow doubt or fear to enter in my mind, God was pleased with me and made me into a person of multiplication.”

Today’s Bible Reading

• Old Testament: 1 Samuel 3-5; Psalm 96
• New Testament: Mark 10:1-16; 2 Corinthians 1:12-24