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Faith vs. Law
From Romans 4: 13-25: For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become "the father of many nations," according to what was said, "So numerous shall your descendants be." He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith "was reckoned to him as righteousness." Now the words, "it was reckoned to him," were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
Our Lenten Journey should take us to the place where we can say, God is able. For, if nothing more, as we seek to grow closer to God and deeper into His Word, we find passages like today's, that say that very thing. Jesus came to show that it is faith in God's power and promise that brings fullness of life, not simply adhering to do's and don'ts. Abraham became the father of nations when he was as "good as dead," and when he considered his wife's womb as barren. His faith was strengthened by giving God glory.
As we walk these 40 days, stop to give God glory. It is in so doing that we are made stronger, and that which we know becomes real: God is able.
PRAYER: Loving God, as I face whatever comes my way during my days, help me to give You glory in all things. Help my faith to strengthen and help me honor and bless Your precious and holy name. This I pray in my Savior's powerful name, Jesus the Christ, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
