For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. Romans 4:16b-17 NLT
The story behind the statement that Abraham is the father of all who believe means he is the first who believed God for humanly impossible things. His entire story in the book of Genesis is worth a read; the main events are in chapters 12-22. Abraham’s well-deserved reputation for believing God comes primarily from two accounts. First, having a child, specifically a son, was very significant, even crucial, in those early days. But Abraham had reached 100 years without fathering a son with his wife Sarah, age 90. She was the one from whom the promised child was to be born. When they failed to believe, he fathered a child with Sarah’s servant girl whom she “gave to him” so she could raise the child as her own (what?? I know, right??). They created stress and struggle, but God was faithful. Abraham then fully believed God, and God did the impossible.
The son who was born, Isaac, was all his parents dreamed. But one day God called Abraham to take his son (we don’t know how old Isaac was – perhaps a teen or young man but not married yet) to go to the mountain with him for a sacrifice. Isaac obediently went with Abraham. Abraham had agreed he would offer his son to the Lord as a sacrifice. Now, we know that God would not require a child sacrifice. He was doing something in Abraham. Abraham chose to obey, knowing that if his son died, he served a loving God who brings the dead back to life, and creates new things out of nothing. His faith was validated. Out of nowhere, God provided a ram for the sacrifice. Whew. Amazing faith. THAT’S why he is called “the father of all who believe.”
Abraham and Sarah were facing a "dead" situation. They were physically incapable of having children. Yet, Abraham believed in a God who resurrects hope and life. No matter how "dead" a situation seems in your life (a broken relationship, a lost dream, a dead career), God has the power to bring life to it. He is the God who creates new things out of nothing. You don’t need to see the raw materials or know what He is going to do. You just need to believe that God is not limited by your current situation or what you think is reality. Focus your faith, not on a promise, but on the Promiser. God has promised to be absolutely faithful to His promises. Therefore, instead of focusing on what we see as the limits and “deadness” of our situation, we focus on His character and capability. We are following in Abraham’s footsteps when we do.
- What situation seems dead – lifeless, and you see nothing even God can do? Ask Him to help you trust His character and capability, not circumstances.