I am always encouraged when I read Romans 4:17-21 in the Amplified Bible! This is speaking of the faith that Abraham had to believe God when God called him "the father of many nations"!
17 As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed. 18 [For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So [numberless] shall your descendants be. 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah's [deadened] womb. 20 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, 21 Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised.
Abraham did not ignore his physical body that was no longer able to father children naturally! He DID make some mistakes, along with Sarah, earlier in his life when they concocted the horrible plan that brought about Ishmael! But Abraham developed a great faith in God that was credited to him as righteousness, or right standing with God! This faith caused him to be able to look at his very aged body and dare to finally believe that what God had promised, He was well able to carry out for him! Did you know that this God Who is well able, is also even more willing than He is able? He desires only good things for you as a born again believer and a member of His family! Look at Jeremiah 29:11:
11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. AMP
And now look at this from the New Testament in John 10:10:
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). AMP
Knowing that WE have a better Covenant that is based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6), look at Romans 8:16-17:
16 The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God. 17 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; AMP
Shalom in Him!
