This passage of scripture is utterly amazing and profound! We are witnessing the law of faith in action. Paying special attention to this will help us see results in our own lives. Abraham is the father of many nations because he had the kind of faith that stood firm until the promise was fulfilled.
The Promise was that Abraham would be the father of many nations ( Genesis 17:4-5 ) and that the whole world would be blessed through him ( Genesis 12:3 ). This promise also speaks of the Seed of Abraham as the Messiah ( Galatians 3:16 ). The problem was that Abraham was nearly one hundred years old and impotent. His wife Sarah, was and had always been barren and was also ninety years old. So this verse gives us amazing information to consider when the problem seems to outweigh the promise.
Like Abraham we cannot focus on the problem, instead we need to focus on the promise. The King James Bible puts it this way, "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb..." ( Romans 4:19 ) The facts were it was impossible for them to have a child. But the scriptures say, he did not consider the facts only the promise. In Hebrews 11, also known as the 'Faith Hall of Fame', it notes that Abrahams faith rose up because he 'considered him faithful who made the promise.' ( Hebrews 11:11 ) and by that he was able to overcome any doubt from the circumstances surrounding the problem.
Abraham, because he knew God, was able to disregard what seemed impossible. Instead of doubting the promise he let his faith override his unbelief. He did not consider why it was impossible he only consider the one who promised him and knew that he was faithful to deliver. To operate in faith, you and I must focus on God's promise to us and discount anything that hinders you believing in that promise.
When we look to God, and focus on him, then circumstances will fade into the background. Today, I pray that you trust God with what he has spoken to you. Believe and consider him faithful to perform his word. In doing so, you, like Abraham and Sarah will reap the benefits of your faith.
