CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Monday, July 18th, 2016
1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34
Romans 4:13-5:5
Psalm 14:1-7
Proverbs 19:17
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
[Abraham], contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” – Rom 4:18
Abraham’s belief was “contrary” to hope. In other words, belief and hope are different. Hope is a vague admission that things could be better under the right circumstances. Belief, on the other hand, is confident and permanent trust in God: the decision that things will get better because He said so. Hope leaves room for debate; belief does not.
Abraham would not settle for hope. Instead, while still hoping, he added belief to the mix. He made the decision to trust God more than he trusted himself, his circumstances, or anyone else! He oriented his life in accordance with God’s promises, so he would be ready to receive God’s blessings as they arrived.
If Abraham had settled for hope, he would not have become the father of many nations. But because he made the decision to believe, God’s promise was activated. Because he believed, he became the “father of many nations” (v 18), just as God had promised. Abraham gave glory to God – he praised Him – until he was “strengthened in faith” (v 20). As his faith grew, he became “fully convinced that what [God] had promised He was able to perform” (v 21). And once he was fully convinced, there was no turning back: God’s destiny unfolded in front of his eyes.
Are you actively believing God’s promises? Or are you simply settling for vague hope that things might get better? The key to answered prayer lies in the difference between faith and hope.
Prayer:
Father, help me to move from hope to faith. I don’t want to just hope things will get better; I want to believe Your promises with all my heart. Thank You for being moved by my faith!
Archives
See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-199-faith-is-not-denial/
See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-199-faith-is-not-denial-2/
© Michael D. White, 2016. All rights reserved.