Romans 4:17

New International Version

As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

For Encouragement

It is humbling—one of the most satisfying words to read in sacred scripture. To know that God gave us life to our dead spirits and called us into being when we were not (Rom. 4:17), is the most liberating truth for our poor souls.

When we think we are something we are not, we deceive ourselves and prove unwise. However, when, through the work of the Spirit, we recognized we were dead in transgressions (Eph. 2:1) and condemned to eternal damnation without God and any hope in His promises until God took hold of us (12-13), how joyful we are! How liberating! Like birds escaped from the hunter’s snare, we can fly in the power of One who set us free. He has taken away the weight of our sin and borne it in His crucified body, all of our sin’s burden and curse.

God’s promise to Abraham has become ours through the faith we received from our Savior. God has born us on the wings of His eternal grace, lavished so generously on our poor souls through Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!

He has brought us into His family, not enslaved by sin anymore, but as God’s children, with all the benefits of sonship. Can you believe it? You and I, poor souls as we were before Christ, took hold of us, have become heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). I can’t wrap my head around it with my natural senses, but only through the Spirit.

I call God my Father, more profoundly and by the same Spirit, Abba, Father. Because I died and my life is hidden with Christ in Him (Col. 3:1-3), eternity is mine, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).

Surveying current world events makes me more thankful for God’s grace through Christ Jesus. The hatred, wickedness, depravity, godlessness, pride, heartless decisions of governments, lack of compassion, and glorying in wealth, power, and position break my heart. How glad I am that because of Christ, I am no longer a citizen of this world, but of His kingdom (Col. 1:12-14), growing in His righteousness as I wait for my flight into His eternal rest (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

In the meantime, the Lord has commissioned us as ambassadors of reconciliation to tell the lost about Christ and invite them to come to Him for eternal life (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). He gives faith to receive grace for salvation if that is our heart’s cry. He takes away the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15) and replaces it with joy and confidence for eternity.

O, unbelieving soul, will you come to Jesus without hesitation?

For you, His believer, why not share this good news with as many as may need to hear? It is your commission from the Master, so glorify Him with your witness. Amen.

Pray with Me

Eternal God, turn my heart towards you to receive your promised eternal life in Christ, the forgiveness of my sins in Him. Make me your own, Jesus, and infuse your Spirit to live for you and to share this good news with those around me. Thank you in Christ Jesus, my Savior and Lord. Amen.