Trusting in the Lord’s Faithfulness
Monday’s Verse:
From Romans 4:22 ESV
That is why (Abraham’s) faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”
Yesterday in church, I preached on Hosea 6:6. Romans 4:22 paired nicely with yesterday’s verse. In Romans, we ask the question How is a sinner counted righteous before God? Hosea asks What does genuine faith look like once it has received God’s righteousness? Faith alone justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone. Abraham believed God’s promise, and it affected his whole life. Israel could go through the motions of religion without ever knowing faith and steadfast love.
When Abraham faced God’s promise, there was very little evidence. He was physically unable to have children. Sarah was old. The promise of offspring seemed ludicrous. Yet Abraham trusted God, who brings the dead to life and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
Romans 4:22 tells us that Abraham’s faith “was counted to him as righteousness.” Abraham did not work hard enough to believe and thereby earn God’s favor. Faith is simply the hand that receives God’s gift. Abraham was pronounced righteous because he trusted what the Lord had promised.
This is our Gospel hope as well. We don’t earn God’s favor by our great deeds, our spiritual power, or our good works. We are justified because of what Christ has done for us. Because of our faith, we receive the righteousness of Christ won for us by His life, death, and resurrection.
As you begin your day, do not burden yourself with having to prove yourself before God. You are accepted in Christ not because of what you do today but because of what Christ has done for you. Keep trusting in the Lord’s faithfulness. The same God who promised Abraham that he would become a great nation keeps His promise in Jesus. He will remain faithful to all who put their trust in Him.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me a righteousness that is not my own. When I am weak in faith, let me remember that Your promises are sure. Keep me trusting in Your mercy and resting in Your perfect work. Grant me peace because I am justified by grace through faith in Jesus. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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