When God Delays: How Waiting Strengthens Your Faith
What do you do when God’s promises seem impossible? When your situation looks dead and hope feels out of reach? Romans 4 gives us a powerful example in Abraham—a man who, despite overwhelming circumstances, believed God was still able to do what He had promised.
The Apostle Paul draws our attention to Abraham’s faith not just as a historical example, but as a model for how we receive the righteousness of God. Abraham’s faith wasn’t based on law or ritual. It was grounded in a personal trust in God’s ability to fulfill His word—even when the odds were stacked against him.
The Apostle Paul draws our attention to Abraham’s faith not just as a historical example, but as a model for how we receive the righteousness of God. Abraham’s faith wasn’t based on law or ritual. It was grounded in a personal trust in God’s ability to fulfill His word—even when the odds were stacked against him.
Faith That Defies Logic
Abraham was around 100 years old. Sarah’s womb was barren. From every human angle, the idea of them becoming parents was laughable. And yet, Paul says Abraham “believed, hoping against hope” (Romans 4:18). This wasn’t blind optimism; it was belief rooted in God’s unchanging nature and faithful promise.
Even in his waiting, Abraham didn’t waver. His faith was not the absence of doubt, but the presence of conviction. He trusted the God “who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist” (Romans 4:17). That kind of faith acknowledges the facts but refuses to be ruled by them.
Even in his waiting, Abraham didn’t waver. His faith was not the absence of doubt, but the presence of conviction. He trusted the God “who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist” (Romans 4:17). That kind of faith acknowledges the facts but refuses to be ruled by them.
Why Faith and Not Law?
If righteousness came through obedience to the law, none of us would qualify. That’s the point Paul makes. The promise given to Abraham—and now to us—is based not on our performance but on grace. “This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants” (Romans 4:16).
God made a promise, and His promises are guaranteed. Faith is the only way to receive it, and grace is the only way it’s possible. This is good news for everyone—Jews and Gentiles, rule-followers and rule-breakers—because salvation is not earned. It’s given.
God made a promise, and His promises are guaranteed. Faith is the only way to receive it, and grace is the only way it’s possible. This is good news for everyone—Jews and Gentiles, rule-followers and rule-breakers—because salvation is not earned. It’s given.
The Faith That Justifies
Paul makes it clear: the kind of faith that justifies is a faith that’s “fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do” (Romans 4:21). That’s the faith that God credited to Abraham as righteousness—and it’s the same faith that God honors today.
This faith doesn’t rely on circumstances, feelings, or human ability. It looks to Jesus Christ alone—the one who was “delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25). Saving faith is anchored in the finished work of Christ. He is the fulfillment of God’s promise and the only way to be made right with God.
This faith doesn’t rely on circumstances, feelings, or human ability. It looks to Jesus Christ alone—the one who was “delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25). Saving faith is anchored in the finished work of Christ. He is the fulfillment of God’s promise and the only way to be made right with God.
Living Fully Convinced
Maybe you’re in a season of waiting. Maybe God’s promises feel distant or even impossible. Like Abraham, you’re called to hope against hope—to keep believing when it would be easier to give up.
In the waiting, don’t waver. Keep trusting. Keep glorifying God. That’s when He strengthens your faith. That’s when your hope becomes a testimony to His faithfulness.
God didn’t just credit Abraham with righteousness for his own benefit. Scripture says it was written “for us”—for you and me—to remind us that the same righteousness is available to all who believe in Jesus (Romans 4:23-24). The promise is still alive. And so is our hope.
In the waiting, don’t waver. Keep trusting. Keep glorifying God. That’s when He strengthens your faith. That’s when your hope becomes a testimony to His faithfulness.
God didn’t just credit Abraham with righteousness for his own benefit. Scripture says it was written “for us”—for you and me—to remind us that the same righteousness is available to all who believe in Jesus (Romans 4:23-24). The promise is still alive. And so is our hope.
This blog is based on a message preached by Lead Pastor Brian Stone on Sunday, June 22, as part of the Romans: The Righteousness of God series. You can watch the full message here.
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