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Morning Devotion for the Season after Pentecost
October 20, 2025
Reading: Romans 4:19-25
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.
Meditation: Jo Ann B. Jones
Abraham is, indeed quite a fortunate man, who early in this narrative of Abraham’s encounter with God, has two encounters with God, who makes two promises to him: 1) he and Sarah will produce a child; and 2) his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. Abraham believes God. What a deep demonstration of faith for one so very advanced in age. And God addresses this once more in an appearance to Abraham, in which God makes a covenant with Abraham, an agreement, assuring him of many followers and promising Abraham the land of Canaan. Despite Abraham’s doubt that the promise of many descendants will be fulfilled, because of his great age, Abraham summons enough faith to be circumcised, together with his entire household. Paul notes that Abraham did not weaken in faith, even when he considered his age and that of Sarah. Abraham’s faith led to belief without proof. He believed in the promises of God without experiencing the fulfillment of those promises.
I have recalled in my own life experience of difficulties and praying for God’s help and guidance. The best outcome for me did come about, but not immediately. And, yet when looking back, I could see that it took some time for other circumstances to present themselves to bring about a beneficial outcome for me. That gave me a great deal of reassurance that God heard and answered my prayer. It is a caution against mistaking God for a magician who can, in an instant, gratify us; and, rather see God continuing to be faithful to me throughout the time that leads to the needed answer to my prayer. It was a reminder, also, of God’s presence to me during my time of waiting for fulfillment. God draws from God’s own self to grant to us a worthiness that, on our own, we do not possess. This is an act of grace that gives us room to try again, to be strengthened in faith, like Abraham, so that we may live fuller lives of faithfulness.
Faith is what leads to life, even in the midst of death. Such trust is not easy or straightforward. We will always experience faith as a struggle. It requires a “hope against hope.” That is an expression of the complicated nature of faith, hope, and doubt. We simply cannot hold that hope against hope without God. The inspiring idea that Abraham’s faith and hope found mutual reinforcement in each other is an inspiration to us. For Paul, faith and faithfulness come together in Jesus Christ, who embodies God’s faithfulness toward us even as we stray from God, and who perfects our faith through the power of Christ raised from the dead.
For Quiet Confidence
O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence; where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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