March 24

“He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they are.” —ROMANS 4:17

Many people think they’re fighting a losing battle. They’ve tried every angle, every approach, but believe nothing short of a miracle will get them out. They may be right, but we have a God who gives life to the dead, and calls things that are not as though they are. Miracles are His department. 

The stories in Scripture are not given to us simply for our information, or even to increase our knowledge of how God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit work together. They are given to us so that we may apply the principle of how they work into our lives. As far as Scripture tells us, Abraham did not have dealings with God until he was in his seventies. God made a promise to him. “He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be’.” (Genesis 15:5) 

At the time, Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was 65 years old and barren. She is described as being worn out, and Abraham, at 75, being as good as dead. Ten years passed, and they would have been even more dead and worn out, but Abraham believed God would work a miracle. After 25 years of ups and downs with God, their promised son, Isaac, was born. Romans 4:19-21 tells us of Abraham, “Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.” 

Situations that seem impossible to us are because we are looking at them from a human perspective. From God’s perspective, circumstances are not a problem, because there isn’t anything bigger than He is or equal to Him. Though a resolution may seem unattainable to us, God calls things that are not as though they are. He sees the big picture, and resolution is already in place for Him. 

Paul writes, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it was said to him” (Romans 4:18). Abraham’s unwavering faith was in a God who calls things that are not yet as though they are. It’s that kind of faith and dependency upon God that allows us to live in any circumstance as though it’s already solved, because we know we have a God who is working out His divine purpose in it. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, keep me in a strong, enduring faith, and in difficult times, always mindful that You are working out your purpose in them. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: How has God worked out His purpose for me in a difficult situation?