“And not having become weak in the faith, he considered his body already having become dead, being about a hundred years old, and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. Yet he did not waver through unbelief at the promise of God, but was strengthened in faith, having given glory to God, and having been fully assured that what He had promised, He is also able to do.” Romans 4:19-21
These verses can be summarised in this way, “He not being weak in faith, he did not consider his present fluctuating circumstances to have any bearing, therefore he did not waver through unbelief at the promise of God. Rather he persisted in being grounded in the promise and gave thanks to God because he was fully convinced God will do what He said.”
So we can superimpose Abraham’s manner of life to Paul’s definition of faith in Hebrews, “Faith is the substance [a fixed persistence] of things hoped for [on the promise of God], the evidence [giving of thanks, being fully convinced] of things not seen [of the promise of God].” Hebrews 11:1 And James relates to us the value of staying the course despite the fluctuating circumstances, “Esteem it all joy, my brothers, when you might fall into various trials, knowing that testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 When faith is tested it is tested with time and our faithfulness in staying the course helps to set our roots deep into God. And the deeper we go the stronger in faith we become and the things of this world, may it be time or circumstances will note phase us.
James also relates to us the dangers of wavering, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask from God, the One giving generously to all and not finding fault, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing [without wavering], for the one doubting is like a wave of the sea, being blown and being tossed by the wind. For let that man not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8 James uses the analogy of the sea, because waves of the sea go back and forth up the beach and return back to where it came. And he says such a person cannot receive from God because he would draw back his hands before receiving, circumstances dictate his thinking and expectation not the promise.
So the wavering factor [unbelief] has to do with doubting God’s own faithfulness. Will He will He not, Will He find fault in me, to withhold? What if He does not come through, what are the alternatives? These are all aspects of a double-mind. Therefore we do not commit ourselves to the promise of God and draw back in unbelief because we think He won’t meet us.
In contrast a river sets its course and follows it right through to the end.
David shows how we can do this and says, “When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me. In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid.” Psalm 56:9-11 David assured himself of the love God has for him, and he exalted God’s word, giving Him praise for His promise. That is he set himself on the promise of God and determined to live his life undeterred, trusting in God’s own faithfulness to His own word. Therefore he was assured of the outcome, because he cried out to God according to His word.
Then even though we know what His word says which is the basis of our hope, our faith has to be in God’s own faithfulness, to His word. It is in the person of God! Because it is possible to believe the word of God is true, yet do not expect Him to uphold it. That is we hold the bible to be true yet we do not count on God to do what He said. “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” Numbers 23:19
Therefore faith has to be based on the faithfulness of God, which gives life to the truth of His word.
So God is not waiting to be convinced by us, but is simply looking at us to see if we take hold of His promise and say, I would rather die than live in any other way. Then did our faith grow or do we just commit? Is there a difference? Therefore faith is simply the act of taking God at His word. It is not God we need to convince to act on our behalf but ourselves of God’s own faithfulness. God is Unchanging. “The One calling you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 So Paul says of Abraham, he was fully assured that what God promised, He is also able to do.
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 That is if anyone will take Him at His word.
Bread Bait. 
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