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“He (Abraham) did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He (God) had promised He was also able to perform.”  Romans 4:20-21 (ESV)

Growing up, I was an avid doubter. Too many promises broken deflated my childlike faith. So even though I clearly remembered the day I asked Jesus into my heart at age six, doubts overwhelmed me. They plagued me until I was in my 20s. I was working at LU and sitting in convo, and the speaker gave a powerful message about belief and doubts – I sealed that deal on that day. Never again did I ever doubt God’s love or promises for me.

Doubt is a short word with enormous impact. Webster defines doubt as questioning the truth. Ouch, that stings – doubt pits us against the truth of God. It demonstrates our lack of confidence in the One who has proven His character throughout the pages of scripture. It creates hesitation in obedience because we are distrusting, questioning and suspicious. I would never park myself in this camp, yet I lived there all through my childhood into my early 20s. Consistently unsure if what God said was true. When we fail to take God at His word or fail to trust in His promises, ultimately we are sabotaging our spiritual growth. One can’t grow if one doesn’t trust or believe the truth of who God is, His character and His actions.

I love the reminder in Romans 4 of how Abraham didn’t waver on the promises of God. The fact that He chose to believe what he couldn’t see kept him in a posture for growth one step at a time. Abraham’s journey wasn’t easy. He left his homeland to follow God to a place he’d never been (Genesis 12:1). Abraham clung to the promise of an heir even in his old age when the possibility diminished (Genesis 17:1-8). And when the climb up a difficult mountain loomed large, He trusted God to provide the perfect sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-2).

I would love to sit down with Abraham and ask him about all the things he learned while waiting on God’s promises to be fulfilled. Guess that will have to wait until heaven. But for now, our faith journey is our journey destined to draw us closer to God and transform us from the inside out. Developing us each step of the way. Strengthening our faith. Giving us an opportunity to resist the doubter within us and lean on God’s truth thereby bringing glory to God even in the waiting.

“Father, You long for us to trust You completely – leaning on Your understanding and not our own. Taking steps of faith one day at a time. Holding tight to Your  promises. Honoring You in the wait. May we glorify Your name even when doubts attempt to derail us.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life