Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. (Romans 4:19-21)
This passage of Scripture was written about Abraham who, we are told in Genesis 12:4, was 75 years old when God promised to make him into a mighty nation, and about 100 when Isaac, the offspring through whom that promise would be fulfilled, was born. That’s 25 years of waiting for God’s promise. (Why does it seem that I start to lose faith if I have to wait for 25 minutes?) But what I think is most interesting in this passage is that Abraham was strengthened in his faith before the promise was fulfilled, not after. It wasn’t the miraculous birth of a son that caused his faith to grow stronger, but rather his daily walk with God.
That seems counterintuitive, but then I think back on my own experience. I also have seen God do miracles. I’ve watched the weather change in response to prayer. I’ve seen friends healed. I’ve received money, anonymously, just when it was needed to pay the rent. Once, when I was lost in downtown Buenos Aires, God sent a stranger to guide me right to where I needed to be. And each time, within a few weeks I was back to being as doubtful as before. It’s only when I began seriously pursuing God on a daily basis that my faith began to grow stronger.
It’s not miracles that strengthen my faith. Rather, it’s only by spending time with my Father that I learn to trust him. My faith grows stronger when I spend time every morning in God’s word. It grows stronger in my daily prayer walks. And it grows stronger as I keep up a running conversation with God as I go about my daily business – practicing the presence of God.
Scripture confirms this as well. Jesus is not only the source of our faith, but it’s perfecter as well (Hebrews 12:2), so it only makes sense that Colossians 2:6-7 would tell us:
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
That is, our faith is strengthened as we continue to live our lives in Christ. I look for miracles, but God looks for consistency. As a loving Father, he wants to spend time with his sons and his daughters, sharing with them not just the big, spectacular moments, but every moment. That’s the secret to Abraham’s faith. And if I’m willing, it’s the secret to my faith as well.