What God Has Promised,

He Is Able To Perform

"And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform." Romans 4:21

When Abraham was an old man and his wife Sarah was well passed the age of bearing children, God made him a promise. He promised Abraham a son by his wife Sarah, through whom his Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, would come, who would bring upon all the nations of the earth the blessing of God's eternal salvation. And Abraham believed it, because he believed that God was able to perform what he promised.

The Trials

Faith must be tested, tried, and proved; and God tried Abraham’s faith. Many years passed. Still, Abraham believed God. Many trials had to be endured. Yet, Abraham continued to believe God. The older he and Sarah got, the less likely it appeared that they would have a son. The promise was contradicted by all past history, all human reason, and all the apparent circumstances of providence.

Faith believes God without evidences and in spite of obstacles. It was "biologically" impossible for such an old couple to have a son. And it was even more insane, (according to all human reason), to expect that one of Abraham's descendants would be God in human flesh, the Savior of the world. Yet, Abraham "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform.”

Abraham acted according to his faith. He believed that God Almighty was able to give him a son, that with him nothing is impossible. His faith had the omnipotent God for its Object. And when he was a hundred years old God gave him a son through the womb of Sarah, his ninety year old wife, according to his promise.

The Lesson

This great work of God, and Abraham's faith in him, is not recorded for Abraham's sake alone, but for ours, that we might also believe God. All the promises of God to his people in Christ Jesus are yea and amen (2 Cor. 1:20). Because God is almighty, omnipotent, we can confidently trust him to do all that he has promised. Let us ever believe him, and act according to faith. All that he has promised of temporal good, providential good, spiritual good and eternal good, he will do for all who believe him. And by believing him we glorify him.