How faith grows.

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”

Romans 4:20-23

Faith has an object… someone or something bigger or more powerful in which trust is placed. It isn’t about an impossible wish. It is, as Abraham’s example here demonstrates, a capacity to trust in a powerful promise of God over an entire lifetime.

Paul’s argument in in Romans 4 is that even though Abraham is the father of the nation of Israel, he was justified by faith before the Law was ever given. He was declared righteous by believing God even before he obeyed God’s command to be circumcised. Abraham believed God. God counted that belief as righteousness (Romans 4:3).

Every episode in Abraham’s story is evidence of that faith growing stronger. It grew stronger when he left home and family at God’s call. It grew stronger despite his repeated fear that Sarah would be taken from him. It grew stronger despite threats from pagan warrior kings. It grew stronger despite the impatience demonstrated in his choice to father Ishmael through Hagar. It grew stronger despite his advancing years. It grew stronger when Isaac became the son of promise in God’s timing. It grew stronger when God proved Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice Isaac on Moriah. It grew stronger when God provided a substitute on that mountain. It grew stronger when angels talked to him. It grew stronger when Abraham sent his servant to secure a wife for Isaac. It grew stronger when Abraham buried Sarah in a cemetery that was his only possession in the Promised Land. It grew stronger when he closed his eyes and breathed his last air in the land of his sojourn.

God uses all circumstances to grow us in faith and in our capacity to give God praise. Faith isn’t about getting things easy. Quite the opposite… faith is about maturing in our capacity to trust the One Who is using all of the story… all of the challenges… all of the setbacks… even our failures… especially our losses… to draw out a growing, stronger faith. And in Christ, our faith in the gospel, though tested by life situations, credits us with Jesus’ own righteousness! Grow strong and give God the glory! That is how faith grows.