“[For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith…He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body…No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised. That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God).” – Romans 4:18,19,20,21 & 22 (AMPC)
Faith as simple trust in the promise of God, is what Apostle Paul is impressing upon us in Romans 4:18-22.
When a comprehensive understanding of faith
is needed, Abraham, the progenitor of faith, is our best bet. As an individual, he is the ultimate example
of someone awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promise.
God wants every one of us to come to the
maturity of faith where we, like Abraham, can confidently say, “we’ll go…we’ll worship…we’ll
return” even while
knowing that the worship involves an unthinkable sacrifice (see Genesis 22:5).
Beloved, sometimes you have to give up the
very thing you so deeply love, in faith that God would keep His promise
concerning the said thing. Therefore, you must be obedient in faith, for the
proof of the genuineness of your faith lies in obedience.
James 2:14-26, lays this open for you, and
Hebrews 11:8 is a reminder of Abraham’s obedience in faith, “By faith Abraham,
when called to go to a place he…obeyed and went, even though he did not
know where he was going.”
Most times you have to wait for what you may
consider a very long time before you see the fulfillment of God’s promise. Such
waiting requires patience. In this regard, read Hebrews 6:11-12 which takes note of the essential
patience of faith. Also have a look at 2 Peter 3:9.
Peter gives us a different perspective of that
required patience. He tells us that God is also patiently waiting. Quick to believe
that it is God who is slow in keeping His promise, never for one minute does it
ever cross our minds that God is being patient for our sake.
God patiently waits while you’re learning
to walk in faith.
God patiently waits for you to finally rest
wholly and absolutely on His word of promise.
God patiently waits for you to turn back to
Him after you’ve grown tired of waiting.
God patiently waits for the constant ebb
and flow of your wavering belief to settle down.
God patiently waits for you to realize that
you’ve not been given a spirit of fear.
And the list continues on and on.
Beloved, it is not in vain that you trust
God for the fulfillment of His promise to you. Be confident that when God makes
a promise He is “able
and mighty to keep His word”. God is so faithful, and full of love
for you, that even if you become weary of waiting and expedite your own
solution – which by the way, will fail – God will pick up the pieces of your
shattered life, gently put you back on the path, and re-affirm His promise with
you in such an incredible way that your doublemindedness is completely annihilated.
Here is the absolute truth:
God
is a covenant God, so when He gives a promise He will not divert from His
chosen course.
God
neither lies nor changes His mind.
God
will never speak and then not act.
God
will not make a promise and not fulfill it.
Nothing
and no-one can thwart God’s plan.
Amen †
Shelley
Johnson “Awaiting the Fulfillment of God’s Promise” © 2016
revisited October 3, 2025
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