Romans 4:20-21 (Amplified Bible)
20No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God,
21Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised
House Rule #7 - Keep your Promises. In this Scripture (actually you should read from Verse 1 all the way down to Verse 25), Paul used Abraham as an example to show God's grace promises and also man's initial requirement of faith and continuing responses of faith. It's a covenant so it requires an act on both parties. Abraham wasn't perfect in his faith but thank God that He loves our imperfections. At first Abraham did not understand the promise that a child would come from Sarah. But he still did not waiver in unbelief. If anything he grew stronger. He had to allow God's power to come forth and give him faith. For Sarah to have a child, it seemed truly impossible but with God nothing is impossible. Even though Abraham hesitated to believe, he was still strong in faith and gave glory to God. Because God made a promise to him, he knew that even when it looked like there was no hope, he still believed in hope.
In this Scripture, Paul also uses David as an example. David was not a perfect man but his faith was strong. He was right with God through faith. Even though both of these men sinned, God was able to love and work with them through their faith. There are two key words in this Scripture - faith and promise. Abraham and David set an example for all of us to follow. In Verse 21 it say to "be fully satisfied and assured that God was able and might to keep His word and do what He had promised." That is one of the keys to be assured - confident and guaranteed - that God will keep His promise.
As God's children, we should also keep our promises to one another. How many times has someone asked you to pray and you said you would pray but maybe forgot about it or just pushed it aside for the time being? You might have said to them that you promise you'll pray for them or pray for one of their family members and just didn't do it. A promise gives them an assurance that you will do what you said you would do. We are not perfect people but when you give a brother or sister a promise, you are assuring them of some type of action on your part. A promise from a brother and sister in Christ is an encouragement to them. That's what is so awesome about God - He keeps every promise He has made to us so we can be assured of His hope, encouragement, grace and love.
