Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 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. Romans 4:18-19 NIV
I didn’t feel the epidural, until the steroids hit my leg. As I moaned, the doctors encouraged me, “We hit the sweet spot!” Afterward, they explained that my back was so inflamed they couldn’t get the full dose of medicine. I would need a series of injections.
I didn’t want to hear that, because I believed God would heal me through this one. I also know that God often has a better plan. Like me screaming, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!” while enduring that pain that no accurate description can describe.
I came to this passage last night. Abraham and Sarah knew the facts. Physically conceiving a child and carrying it full term was impossible, just like the facts about my injections. But Abraham and Sarah didn’t waver at doubt. In spite of the facts, they believed the promise of God when God promised Abraham, he would become a father to many descendants.
First, Abraham believed in hope against hope. Are we believing in hope for our miracle? Our breakthrough? Our answer to prayer? When it seems no hope exists, do we still add hope to our faith? This is walking in faith. We put some action to it.
Next, Abraham didn’t weaken in his faith. Instead, Abraham did not waver in unbelief. I’ve been there many times, wavering in doubt planted by the flesh or the enemy. I know that one injection will probably not last, but I am choosing to be like Abraham.
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. (Romans 5:20-21 NIV).
Like Abraham we need to allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith. Not just so we aren’t plagued by doubt, but like Abraham, we can glorify God.
If we skip down to verse twenty-four, our faith gains more strength. This was not just some Old Testament thing between Abraham and God. We read that it is also credited to us. When we push aside doubt, strengthen our faith, and glorify God, it’s counted to us as the righteousness of Christ.
Friend, will you join me in doing two things today? Copy Abraham’s actions in this passage. Cling to faith, no matter what.
Next, don’t be disappointed if God doesn’t answer your specific prayer, because when God doesn’t give us our desires, He gives us something better.
Lord God, today I choose to hope in belief about this situation. Help me glorify You as You answer my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Hiking The Trail
What promise are you choosing to believe. When we choose His promises, they are always yes and amen.
Special Resource
Do you struggle with doubt? Friend, you are not alone. So I learned how to use God’s Word to counteract doubt, and you can make your own battle plans right here.
Originally posted on December 12, 2022 @ 3:09 am
God did heal Sarah’s womb BUT a baby did not miraculously just appear there. Abraham and Sarah still had to have sex to fulfill that miracle. When you think about every healing mentioned in scripture God still had humanity do something. The man with the withered had was asked to raise is hard to Jesus, the woman with blood had to still go to him and touch Him. Could God heal with us without us doing an action…of course BUT God still uses humanity to perform miracles. That said lets use myself for a second. Obesity was killing me. Yes God could have healed all my medical conditions as a miricle but He did not. God opened up doors medically to heal my obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea through a surgeons hands. Just because medicine was used did not negate God healing me through all the doors He opened up that lead to my healing.
They are still miracles, even some human intervention is used. Sarah’s womb was dead, but God made it alive at His time.