Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.

Romans 4:20

In Romans 4, Abraham demonstrates that we are made right with God, not by works of the law, but because of faith. Though Abraham was the founder of the Jewish nation (v. 1), all who are made right with God through faith are, in a sense, children of Abraham (v. 16).

Notice that Abraham’s faith was not static. Our translation says that Abraham’s faith grew stronger. More literally, Abraham himself grew stronger through his faith.

How does this happen? How do we grow stronger through our faith? Since biblical faith isn’t just affirming things to be true of God, but also putting our trust fully in God, the more we trust God each and every day, the more we will grow stronger as people. Our strength grows when we rely upon the immeasurable strength of God. Thus when we face trials or hardships, we grow stronger through our faith because we learn to trust God more than we did before. Therefore, our strength, like that of Abraham, brings glory to God.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How have you grown stronger through your faith? What helps you to trust God more, and thus to rely more fully on God’s strength?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, like Abraham, I want to grow stronger through faith. I want to trust you more, leaning on your strength, so that your power might be manifest in my life.

Help me, Lord, when I am tempted to doubt you. Help me when I’m tempted to rely on myself, rather than on you. Teach me to put my faith in you each and every moment, so that I might grow in you and your strength.

May my life bring you glory as I trust you more and more each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.