“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised)” (Hebrews 10:23) Abraham did not receive the promised son (Isaac) until he was a hundred years old (see Genesis 21:5). Abraham had earlier asked God in Genesis 17:17, shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? And shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? Both Abraham and Sarah were old, Sarah was ninety years old then. Medically and with human wisdom, a woman of ninety years old cannot be pregnant not to talk of having a child.
When God visited Abraham in Genesis 18:1-12 and he was told that about the same time next year Sarah his wife will have a son. Sarah heard it and it was funny to her because she could not comprehend it that she can still have a child at her old age. It was reconfirmed to Abraham in verse 14 of the same chapter, saying “Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.“
Abraham Regarded As A Righteous Man
In Genesis 15:1-5, God appeared to Abraham, though his name was still Abram then. God said to him, “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.’ Abraham asked God, ‘What will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?’ He further said, ‘You have given me no seed.'” God responded to Abraham in verse 4-5, “And, behold the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir, but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be” Verse 6 says, “And he believed in the LORD, and he counted it to him for righteousness”
Abraham chose not to live by what he could see about himself rather he chose to live by faith in God. Therefore, fear is a reaction, and faith is a decision. His faith in God made it possible for him to receive the promise of God and he was called the friend of God, see Isaiah 41:8.
God Trusted Abraham
The Lord sees the heart of Abraham and trusts him that he will surely teach his children and his household in the way of the Lord. God does not like to invest in a man that will destroy His investment, (see Genesis 18:17-19). Can God trust you?
We are all saved today through our Lord Jesus Christ by the covenant of God with Abraham because of the faith and obedience of Abraham unto God (see Genesis 22:18).
God Is Always On Time
Mary and Martha thought Jesus was late to come and see Lazarus but Jesus proved to them that with God, nothing is ever late (see John 11:20-44). God is ever faithful, and He is always on time to fulfill whatever He has promised. There is no age beyond fruitfulness or fulfilling the purpose of God if we are obedient and walk by faith and not by sight. Verse 14 of Psalm 92, says, “They shall bring forth fruits in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing,” and the next verse confirmed that it is to show that God is upright and there is no unrighteousness in Him. The blessings of God are only to His glory and not for us to be prideful or to oppress (see Psalm 92:12-15).
Faith is a prerequisite to please God and to receive from Him. Our faith needs constant nourishment (Word of God) and a lubricant which is patient, so as not to rust. “Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:35-36) Abraham was able to receive the promise after he had patiently endured (see Hebrews 6:15).
May grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, Amen.