Big Shoes! (part 4)

Abraham was a man of great faith. His life journey left definite “faith prints” that are worthy of being followed. He recognized the faithfulness and power of the God Who was fully aware of his life. Therefore, in spite of the realities of the flesh that Abraham saw, his hope was steadfastly anchored in what God had promised and so he kept moving forward as He trusted God to work out all the details.

Noting the last two verses of the text we have been considering, we read. . .
“(20) NO DISTRUST MADE HIM WAVER concerning the promise of God, but HE GREW STRONG IN HIS FAITH as he gave glory to God, (21) FULLY CONVINCED THAT GOD WAS ABLE TO DO WHAT HE HAD PROMISED.” ( Romans 4:20-21 ESV)

How CONVINCED? The Greek word “plerophoria” used here by Paul (translated “convinced” in the ESV), is a word that means “a fullness”, “abundance”, “full assurance”, or “entire confidence”. To break down the word we have “pleros”, meaning “full”, and “phero”, meaning “to carry”, which provides the literal idea of “full-carrying”. [source: W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words]

Abraham trusted God completely! Whatever God declared, He would deliver regardless of how impossible it might seem. Abraham’s trust in God strengthened his faith with a resolve that “FULLY CONVINCED” him of God’s ability to bring it all to fulfillment.. This conviction had a power to “FULLY-CARRY” Abraham on in his journey with God, regardless of the outlook. I think the secret to Abraham’s great faith was that he continually allowed the outlook to be overpowered by the up-look; looking up to God!

When we are CONVINCED of something, what can hold us back? Though others around us may see and speak differently, when there is no doubt in our mind, we will not be swayed. Like Abraham, that needs to become the depth of our “faith print” as we journey through life. May we continue growing strong in our faith by allowing our outlook on life to be overpowered by our up-look to God. Such a perspective will aid in developing a faith that can “FULLY-CARRY” us through life while at the same time leaving a CONVINCING “faith-print” that declares God is truly worth trusting to the very end.

Have a great day CARRIED ALONG ON THE WINGS OF FAITH!
Carl

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