He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief means Abraham held firm to God's promise without yielding to unbelief, relying firmly on God rather than wavering in distrust. To be strong in faith and give glory to God is to grow strong by being fully persuaded that God is able to perform what He promised, even when obstacles seem impossible, and thereby to honor Him. Because he was thus persuaded, faith was counted to him for righteousness, and the record was written not for his sake alone but for us also, to whom righteousness shall be counted if we believe on Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, since the things written before were written for our learning so that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope.
The birth of the promised child teaches that people cannot produce good works by their own power, for God gives spiritual life through faith and enables believers to do works of righteousness. Through such faith human nature can grasp the divine nature and overcome, because Christ joined divinity with humanity. Abraham did not waver in distrust of the promise even when commanded to offer Isaac, the son through whom the promise was to be fulfilled, believing God could raise Isaac from the dead, just as God had given Sarah a son in her old age.
He remained firm on the way to offer Isaac through the longest day he ever experienced and a sleepless night of prayer with no new light and heavy pressure on his soul. Though darkness closed about him and Satan stood by to suggest unbelief, impossibility, and doubt, he resisted those suggestions and did not give way. He refused to reason that the posterity as numerous as the stars would now have to come through Ishmael, because God had plainly stated the promise would be fulfilled through Isaac, and though the command to offer his only son whom he loved seemed to leave him childless, he rose early to continue his journey in obedience.
Not staggering means continuing to believe and trust God despite trials, following Abraham's example without failing or becoming discouraged. It means trusting God, moving forward expecting Him to work, relying on Him for salvation, and continuing toward eternal life. Such simple, firm faith does not stop short of the goal but believes on the way to eternal life with a view of glory. It drives back the powers of darkness and brings a clear, peaceful, sweet atmosphere to live and breathe in.
When praying for healing, not staggering means not letting appearances cause doubt, letting nothing disturb trust, holding fast to the promises when faith is tested, and simply taking God at His Word without doubting that He will do what He has promised, so that God is glorified in restoration to health. Being strong in faith and not wavering means settling the mind in the Lord, praying in faith and taking God at His Word, and waiting patiently for Him to answer prayers for light and help instead of getting in a hurry and trying to make things go for oneself, and that unwavering faith brings a much better outcome.
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief means Abraham held firm to God's promise without yielding to unbelief, relying firmly on God rather than wavering in distrust. To be strong in faith and give glory to God is to grow strong by being fully persuaded that God is able to perform what He promised, even when obstacles seem impossible, and thereby to honor Him. Because he was thus persuaded, faith was counted to him for righteousness, and the record was written not for his sake alone but for us also, to whom righteousness shall be counted if we believe on Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, since the things written before were written for our learning so that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope.
The birth of the promised child teaches that people cannot produce good works by their own power, for God gives spiritual life through faith and enables believers to do works of righteousness. Through such faith human nature can grasp the divine nature and overcome, because Christ joined divinity with humanity. Abraham did not waver in distrust of the promise even when commanded to offer Isaac, the son through whom the promise was to be fulfilled, believing God could raise Isaac from the dead, just as God had given Sarah a son in her old age.
He remained firm on the way to offer Isaac through the longest day he ever experienced and a sleepless night of prayer with no new light and heavy pressure on his soul. Though darkness closed about him and Satan stood by to suggest unbelief, impossibility, and doubt, he resisted those suggestions and did not give way. He refused to reason that the posterity as numerous as the stars would now have to come through Ishmael, because God had plainly stated the promise would be fulfilled through Isaac, and though the command to offer his only son whom he loved seemed to leave him childless, he rose early to continue his journey in obedience.
Not staggering means continuing to believe and trust God despite trials, following Abraham's example without failing or becoming discouraged. It means trusting God, moving forward expecting Him to work, relying on Him for salvation, and continuing toward eternal life. Such simple, firm faith does not stop short of the goal but believes on the way to eternal life with a view of glory. It drives back the powers of darkness and brings a clear, peaceful, sweet atmosphere to live and breathe in.
When praying for healing, not staggering means not letting appearances cause doubt, letting nothing disturb trust, holding fast to the promises when faith is tested, and simply taking God at His Word without doubting that He will do what He has promised, so that God is glorified in restoration to health. Being strong in faith and not wavering means settling the mind in the Lord, praying in faith and taking God at His Word, and waiting patiently for Him to answer prayers for light and help instead of getting in a hurry and trying to make things go for oneself, and that unwavering faith brings a much better outcome.