Guaranteed to All

Daily Reading: Romans 4

Scripture Focus:  That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. (Romans 4.16)

Devotional Thought: In Romans 4, the Apostle Paul presents his case that we are justified by faith – just as was Abraham.  Abraham received a promise from God, a promise that God would bless him and make him a blessing, a promise that Abraham would be the father of nations, nations saved by faith.  Abraham simply had to believe God in order to receive the promise. 

While the promise came by faith, it did not come easy.  It required patience, persistence and sacrifice.  It required Abraham to believe God would suspend the ordinary course of nature and enable a 100 year old man with his 90 year old wife to have a child.  It required faith.  As a matter of fact, Abraham died without ever having seen the promise completely fulfilled; it remained a matter of faith.

What promise has God made to you?  Do not give up, dear friend.  It comes by faith.  The promise, of course is that we are justified by the blood of Jesus – not by our religious works, but simply by the grace of God.  That is the first promise we must believe.  It is yours, for it has been “guaranteed to all”!  Believe it and receive it!

But, there is more for you within this covenant of grace.  God desires to bless you and make you a blessing.  God, at times, will speak into the listening soul.  He gives you his “very great and precious promises.”  Let those promises sustain you in the darkness.  Believe them even to the point of death.  God will remain faithful.  And one day you – like Abraham – will see the promise fulfilled.  “Do you believe this?”

Prayer: Lord, my prayer today is that of the man who brought his boy to you for healing: "Lord, I believe.  Help my unbelief."  I know that your Word is certain and your promises sure, but at times doubt begins to take root in my heart.  Help me to live in the promise and not in the doubt.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 25.14-22

14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.

15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.

18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me.

20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.

22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.