Today’s devotion comes from Romans 4:18-21.
“In hope against hope he (Abraham) believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.” Romans 4:18-21.
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Man is not only weak; man is deceitful.
“THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE,
WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,”
“THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”;” Romans 3:11.
“The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9.
“5 Thus says the LORD,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 “For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.” Jeremiah 17:5-6.
Yet, other doctrine still grows strong in faith in what man has promised, man is able to perform, giving glory to man.
But, Reformed Doctrine grows strong in faith in what God has promised, God is able to perform, giving glory to God.
“The words of the LORD are pure words;
As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.” Psalm 12:6.
“The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7.
“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.” And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.” Hebrews 6:13-18.
“By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.” Hebrews 11:11.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.” Hebrews 11:1.
“THEREFORE IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Romans 4:22.
“7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8.
“Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.” Joshua 21:45.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 