Lessons from Abraham
By Emeka Iduma
Over the years, I have learned to build my faith in the Word of God. I have also learned to follow the faith steps of Abraham (Romans 4: 12). Each time I did, I have always come out on top. So, I would like to share some of the important faith lessons in Romans 4 with you.
In my study, some translations of each of these verses stood out to me and I will use each one to explain some of the truths I have walked in;
Abraham believed God even when everything was hopeless
When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, “You’re going to have a big family, Abraham!” Romans 4:18 MSG
What are you living by? Are you living your life based on the present limitations or based on God’s Word? Abraham had obvious limitations – he couldn’t have kids with Sarah – yet he chose to focus on what God had said to him about that.
What has God said to you about your finances? What has God said to you about your need? Philippians 4: 19 says that God will supply all my need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus. Psalm 23: 1 says that the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Like Abraham, I dare you to live your life based on what God has said rather than based on what the need is saying to you.
Abraham was not weak in faith because his faith was not undermined by the facts
In spite of being nearly one hundred years old when the promise of having a son was made, his faith was so strong that it could not be undermined by the fact that he and Sarah were incapable of conceiving a child. Romans 4:19 TPT
What are the facts of your case? What does your financial status say? How much money do you have in comparison to the amount of money you need? What diagnosis did you get from the Doctor? How many weeks were you given to live? These are the facts of the situation. And we don’t run away from the facts.
However, like Abraham, these facts mean nothing compared to God’s word. My faith is in no way disturbed or undermined by these facts. My faith draws its source from God’s Word and not from the natural facts. While I don’t deny, hide from or run away from the facts, I refuse to let my faith be undermined by them.
The facts and the word of God can coexist but, in the end, the Word of God which has a sure foundation, will outlast the facts of your case. So, keep standing on the Word of God because it will surely outlast the facts.
The fact is subject to change but the word of God isn’t. It remains the same forever. Not one part of God’s Word will remain unfulfilled – that’s how solid God’s Word is. So like Abraham, my faith is not weak; it is so strong that it cannot be undermined by the natural facts!
Abraham did not waver at the promise of God
He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, Romans 4:20 NKJV
What are the other distracting thoughts you are letting settle down in your heart? Are you googling your symptoms and trying to see if your faith is working? Are you beginning to convince yourself that the word does not work because there is no appearance of an improvement? If you are, then you are wavering at the promise of God.
You need to mix the word of God with faith and refuse to allow unbelief to settle in your heart. When those thoughts of doubt (and self-pity) come to you, you need to replace them with faith-filled words. Shout it until every fibre of your being hears it – “the Word of God is working for me”.
Don’t swing back and forth from one end of the natural facts to the other end of the promises of God. You ought to stabilize yourself on the promises of God until you receive the end of your faith.
So be like Abraham, do not waiver at God’s promise.
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, Romans 4:20 AMPC
Those depressing facts will keep you up at night. They will disrupt your sleep and ask you unending questions. Your life will come flashing like a mirage in front of your and the devil will try to mock you. What will you do then? Cry like a beat-up child? Or will you cast down those thoughts and praise God?
Abraham showed us a very important way to grow strong in faith – giving glory to God. Paul and Silas must have learned this lesson and practised it when they were thrown in jail. When we focus our attention on the problem, the consciousness of the willingness and ability of God to help us will begin to diminish. That’s when our faith begins to grow weaker and weaker.
However, when we focus on God, giving Him praise and glory for the great things He has promised and done in His Word; the awareness of His willingness and ability to help us begins to grow until our faith becomes strong.
Don’t be a loser!
Be like Abraham, give glory to God!
Abraham’s faith grew as he gave praise and glory to God
EMEKA IDUMA is a graduate of Rhema Bible Training Centre, Nigeria and a member of RMAI. He currently serves as the divisional head for Partner Services Division in Rhema Nigeria. He is married to Olatoorera Emeka-Iduma and they are blessed with two boys; Francis and Emmanuel.