Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 4
Abraham had hope even when there seemed to be no reason for hope. God had promised him a son, and from that son’s family would come a great nation. They would be so many that, like the stars in the sky, it would be impossible to count them (Genesis 15:4-5). However, Abraham was an old man, and God had not yet carried out his promise to him.
Even when Abraham was 99 years old, that son had still not been born. His wife, Sarah, was much too old to have children. She even laughed when God repeated his promise to Abraham (Genesis 18:10-15).
We can believe our circumstances, or we can believe God. Abraham chose to believe God; that is called faith. However, Abraham did not pretend something that was not true. He considered himself so old that he was almost dead. He recognised that Sarah’s body was no longer able to give birth. However, Abraham did not believe that these circumstances - or any other circumstances - could make God’s promises impossible. Instead, he believed that God would use those circumstances for his own (God’s) honour.
So Abraham waited for God to carry out his promise. When Abraham was 100 years old, his wife Sarah gave birth to their son, Isaac (Genesis 21:1-5). The birth of Isaac brought great joy to Abraham; but it was just the beginning of God’s promises to him. Most of the things that God promised to Abraham would not happen during Abraham’s life (Hebrews 11:13). Abraham was aware of that fact (Genesis 15:13-16), but he still continued to believe and to trust God.
Next part: Abraham remained firm in his trust in God (Romans 4:20-22)
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