Undying Faith

Romans 4:20
He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God

Within scripture, we are given many examples of people who believed God. Within these examples, we have those who stand out as exemplary because they believed God in spite of what people said or what it looked like at the time. Today’s verse concerns Abraham. He did not waver in unbelief concerning God’s promise. He found strength in God when all around him said that there was no hope. It is righteous to believe God. Paul says that Abraham, “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness”, (Galatians 3:6, NKJV). Abraham believed God for a son as a young man and God delivered His promise when Abraham was 100 years old. This alone is a great example of long enduring faith.

It only takes a mustard seed of faith to believe God, but it takes God’s power and strength to put this into action. We need to look past our emotions, our circumstances and others remarks. We need to trust God as Paul said, “For we walk by faith, not by sight”, (2 Corinthians 5:7, NKJV).

Great examples of faith are evident in the Old Testament. Nehemiah knew that God wanted him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. After he sought God in prayer, he discovered a travesty of rubble where the old wall had once stood. He believed God anyway and began the task. The community complained and political leaders gave him a challenge. The workers needed to work day and night with a tool in one hand and a sword in the other to fight off the enemies. His workers began to complain and wanted to quit. He believed God, prayed unwavering and helped as much as he could. The wall was then built in 52 days. When we believe God and walk in His ways great things happen.

Job was an upright and very successful man before God and others. He owned more than most people and God tested him. His wealth, family and health where taken away, but he would not speak against God. His first response at his many disasters was, “And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD”, (Job 1:21, NKJV). Job was willing to accept the fact that God is in control and He knows what He is doing.

He even received resistance from his closest supporter, his wife. “Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”, (Job 2:9, NKJV). His closest friends also condemned him and tried to shake his faith in God. Job did not let these things bother him. He kept His faith in God and God rewarded him with double the wealth and double the size of His Family.

We all need to believe God despite what it looks like, despite what it feels like or despite what other people are saying. We need to obey God and then say as Ester did, “If I perish, I perish”, (Esther 4:16f, NKJV). She was willing to believe God even if it cost her very life.

Thoughts, comments, objections, prayer requests.



Daniel A. Smith