If faith can move the mountains, let the mountains move!

“...But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe...”

“...for we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”

“For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” (Rom. 3:21-22, 28, 4:3)

Do you know the story of Abraham? Do you remember the circumstances surrounding this faith that became his righteousness? What exactly was he believing about God that was so significant?

“...(as it is written, ‘A father of many nations have I made you’) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, ‘so shall your descendants be.’” (Rom. 4:17-18)

God promised Abraham some descendants, and Abraham believed him. Abraham believed God, who can make dead people live and speak things into existence.

“Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore it was also credited to Him as righteousness.” (Rom. 4:19-22)

Abraham wasn’t just believing in a promise -- He believed in a God who was bigger than impossibilities. He didn’t ignore the fact that he and Sarah were physically unable to bear children, but he knew that God was able to work beyond those physical limitations. To quote a friend of mine, “It just seems that the odds are far too big. I am being reminded that God is the one who created those odds, and is far above them.”

Some of us are waiting for a miracle. We’ve prayed for months or years, but nothing seems to be happening. What’s the deal, God? We would obey you if this were a matter of us doing something, but it’s beyond our control. We’re just waiting on You to do what You said You would do, and we’ve been waiting an awful long time. We’ve done everything we can, and You’ve done nothing. What do we have to do to make you fulfill Your promise?!

“This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? ... So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” (Gal. 3:2-3, 5-6)

This is the point: We are justified by faith, and it is faith that will continue making us right before God. Faith is our livelihood. It’s what keeps getting us out of bed in the morning. It looks at the world around us and still believes that God exists and He is good. Faith looks at a dead womb and expects a child to come out. Abraham did it, and not only was he counted righteous, he got a miracle.

Often our greatest and most difficult act of obedience is simply to believe God, and that is precisely what He wants. Don’t be surprised when He keeps His promise.

Does anybody else have the urge to sing the theme from “Prince of Egypt” now?
Or that old Journey song?