Week 3 | Day 4
Grace Guarantees the Promise
Romans 4:16–25
Paul shows us that God’s saving promise rests in faith alone in the grace initiative of God—and therefore guaranteed to all who share Abraham’s faith (v.16). Abraham believed the God who “gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist” (vv.17–18). Though his body was “as good as dead” and Sarah’s womb barren, he grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, “fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised” (vv.19–21). This was written not merely for Abraham, but for us—righteousness is credited to all who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Jesus “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (vv.23–25).
Abraham’s life reminds us that faith begins in a moment but matures over a lifetime. He stumbled giving Sarah away and then taking Hagar at Sarah’s request—not understanding that God was up to something bigger. Yet how often do we get ahead of God wanting our will to be accomplished over God’s will—yet God kept pursuing him until his trust culminated on Moriah. Grace initiates; faith responds and grows.
Abraham’s life reminds us that faith begins in a moment but matures over a lifetime. He stumbled giving Sarah away and then taking Hagar at Sarah’s request—not understanding that God was up to something bigger. Yet how often do we get ahead of God wanting our will to be accomplished over God’s will—yet God kept pursuing him until his trust culminated on Moriah. Grace initiates; faith responds and grows.
Application
1. Receive and Rest in Grace—Stop Performing
I can do nothing to earn salvation; it can only be received by grace through faith—and I keep living in that grace each day.
2. Grow Your Faith on Purpose
Faith is a muscle: feed it (Word), exercise it (obedience), and stretch it (prayerful risk).
3. Expect a Bigger Plan
God’s purposes exceed my capacity so that His power, not mine, is seen. Remember… it’s always about God’s glory being revealed, His will being accomplished, and His kingdom coming.
4. Yield to God’s Timing
Surrender positions me for His empowerment; His timetable reveals His glory and accomplishes His will.
5. Give Your Faith Away
Be intentional: always seek to invest the Jesus in you into the lives of others as a disciple-maker.
I can do nothing to earn salvation; it can only be received by grace through faith—and I keep living in that grace each day.
2. Grow Your Faith on Purpose
Faith is a muscle: feed it (Word), exercise it (obedience), and stretch it (prayerful risk).
3. Expect a Bigger Plan
God’s purposes exceed my capacity so that His power, not mine, is seen. Remember… it’s always about God’s glory being revealed, His will being accomplished, and His kingdom coming.
4. Yield to God’s Timing
Surrender positions me for His empowerment; His timetable reveals His glory and accomplishes His will.
5. Give Your Faith Away
Be intentional: always seek to invest the Jesus in you into the lives of others as a disciple-maker.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You that Your promise rests on grace and is guaranteed to all who believe. Grow my faith from momentary belief to mature trust. Where I’m tempted to help You out or hurry Your plan, teach me to surrender and wait. Work through my weakness so Your power is seen. And make me intentional today—use me as a disciple-maker, teacher, writer, and pastor to invest the life of Jesus in others I believe You raised the Lord Jesus for my justification; help me walk in that resurrection power for Your glory. Amen.