Skip to main content

Romans 4:17: As It Is Written, "I Have Made You The Father Of Many Nations"


Romans 4:17
[17] as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. (ESV)

I love those words, "as it is written." Every time you see those words in Scripture it is important for you to pay attention. It is the Bible saying, "Not only has this been said before, but you need to hear it again!" When you are wondering what God really feels about a situation in your life or in your world, go to where "it is written."

Paul reminds us of God's promise to Abraham that he would make him the father of many nations. Abraham believed God. That is substantial because Abraham knew that he was an old man and the likelihood of him being the father of one son was not good, much less the father of many nations. Hebrews 11:12 describes him as being, "as good as dead."

God is the God who gives life to the dead! God kept his promise and we are here today as members of the many nations that come from Abraham. God is the Creator of all things. He is able to bring new life to that which is dead. He is also able to call things into existence that do not exist. He called the world into being. He called us unto salvation.

Our lives are full of situations that seem to be impossible. We would like to have joy in our lives but it is not existent. We have relationships that are broken and as good as dead. God is able to bring things into existence that are beyond our wildest imaginations. The things that we think are dead he is able to breathe into life.

Come to the Lord today. Give him your brokenness. Give him things that you think are dead. Give him your future. He is the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. How do I know this? Because it is written!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co