Monday, January 9, 2012
Something Cool...at least to me
So today I did day 4 & Beth encouraged me forcefully (with written words) to read Romans 4. So I did. As I went through it, a verse JUMPED off the page at me - verse 18. Beth doesn't spend time on it, but I found it profound. Verse 18 says (HCSB) "Against hope, with hope he believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be." Did you see that? It almost doesn't make sense: "Against hope, with hope he believed..." As I understand it (and I am NOT an expert), it seems to say "Even in a state of hopelessness, he had the hope to believe." WHY? HOW? Because of what GOD had already spoken to him. Later in verses 20 & 21, we're given more information, "He did not waver in unbelief at God's promise, but was strengthened in his faith convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." So my 'sum up' of all of that is: God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations & Abraham believed Him, fully convinced that GOD would do what He said - against hope. I'm still not grasping this 100%, but it's pretty cool! What are your thoughts on this or ANYTHING else that God is showing you in this study this week?
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It seemed (felt) like there was no hope but he was going to hope anyway. Abraham looked beyond the circumstances, which didn't look too good, and didn't stagger at this amazing promise. I have staggered at so much less....
ReplyDeleteI know God kept His promise with Abraham. I have the blessing of knowing that it was fulfilled by reading and studying history.
I know that God has done wonderful miracles for so many throughout the ages. I have seen many miracles with my own eyes and heard of many with my own ears and yet sometimes I will not believe for something for myself.
I seem to say, "God, I know You can do amazing things BUT WILL YOU DO IT FOR ME?"
Could this be a struggle that anyone else has?
True. I feel like it was Abraham saying.."Against all odds, I still have faith that God can do anything He says He can do."
ReplyDeleteIn response to Gina's post, what gets in my way a lot of times, is myself. God promises to me everything I ever needed to live a life that pleases Him! I mean, isn't that we want?? But, I get in my own way just by liking to do whatever I'm doing, instead of knowing it probably displeases God and keep doing it. It's like I'm telling God that I don't think He can do it. I have never just let God have it all, you know? I believe all five of the statements in our study. I just don't let Him prove it with everything in my life. That's a struggle for me.
Good class last night. I haven't dived in to 'week two' in the book yet, but Believing God is exactly what I need right now.