When Abraham was 75 years old, God promised him to make him into a great nation. Abraham couldn’t help chuckling to himself. He was 75 years old and had no children! How could God make him into a great nation? Year in and year out, God continued to affirm his promise to Abraham, but Abraham was still without child. So many years later, Paul writes in his letter to the Romans that no unbelief made Abraham waver, but he grew strong in his faith. Year after year, Abraham only grew older and still waited patiently on God to fulfill his promise. And even in the waiting, no unbelief made him waver.
When Abraham was 100 years old, God’s promise finally began to unfold with the birth of his son Isaac. That means Abraham waited twenty five years. Twenty five years!! Can you imagine hearing a promise from God and waiting twenty five years to see it fulfilled? 25 years of waiting gives Paul’s words in Romans so much more meaning when I think about what it would have been to have unwavering faith for 25 whole years. Even at 75 years old, 80, 85, 90, 99 years old, Abraham was fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised and give him a son.Â
Talk about faith! I feel like my faith starts wiggling an hour after I pray. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen the Lord answer and faithfully guide me, doubts and fears creep in so easily. When I read Abraham’s story, I am encouraged to hope in the impossible, to pray boldly and confidently, to wait and let me heart grow in faith while I wait. I’m encouraged to see an example of God’s goodness to fulfill his promise, even 25 years later.Â
Our little family has been in a season of praying and waiting. I want to get to the other side of this season and be able to say that my faith was unwavering, that I was fully convinced that God could do all He has promised, that my faith grew stronger. If Abraham can wait 25 years, I can keep on waiting and trusting my God! When you are in a season of waiting, where do you find your encouragement? Do you give in to doubts and fears easily or do you trust that God hears your prayers?
ESV Journaling Bible | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd .65 Pen | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd .25 pen | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Watercolors | Uniball Signo UM-153 White Gel Pen
I loved this post so much that I shared it and created it in my journaling Bible! Imitation is the highest form of flattery, Jess. ;-) I love the message about waiting and not waivering in this instant results culture. I’ve thought about it many times, but this illustrated it terrifically. Thanks Jess!