Romans 4:16-25

following Abraham in Faith in God

Romans 4:16

Notice the remarkable alteration made by the r.v. in Romans 4:19. The a.v. suggests that Abraham refused to consider the physical disabilities which seemed to make the fulfillment of God's promise impossible; the r.v. says that he looked them all quietly in the face, as though taking into account all their significance and force. Then he looked to the promise; and after balancing one against the other, he decided absolutely and confidently that the Word of God must stand, however great and forbidding the difficulties in the way. He was fully persuaded that what God had promised he was able to perform.

Let us remember, then, that from the time we trust Christ-whatever may have been our present frailties and temptations-we are reckoned as righteous in the sight of God. Yes, and in addition, we may count on absolute deliverance from the power of sin. Do not look down, brooding over your weakness! Do not look back upon your past, strewn with failure! Look up to the living Christ! All the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ Jesus, 2 Corinthians 1:20.