Read: Romans 4:13-25

“It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath.” – Romans 4:14-15a

I find this to be particularly resonant in a fallen world in which we seem to rely more on justice than on forgiveness for our salvation.

Lord, may your loving kindness redeem our faith. Amen.
-Michael Boss

Read: Romans 4:13-25

“He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body…” – Romans 4:19a

Abraham never would have made it in the “me” generation; he never believed in himself. He believed only in God. Abraham was sure he was too old and frail to accomplish anything like fathering “many nations.” It would take a miracle for him just to have a son. But God promised to make him a father. Abraham didn’t need to know the how, when, or why; he just had faith that it would happen because God had given His word. And it did.

Jesus often told his disciples not to worry about the how and the when of things, but to have faith in God. The One who bought all life into being, who made Abraham the father of many, would always be with them. When my own increasing frailties remind me that I’m not as strong or energetic as I used to be, I remind myself that there are still things I can do in service to God. If I am in tune with God’s wishes, God will make them happen. I just have to be open, ready, and prepared for the surprises with which God often delights us. My frailties do not impede God’s purpose.

Holy One, who brought all things into being, I place myself, body and soul, into your hands, knowing you will find work for me in the world, as you have found a place for me at your table. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
-Carol Treston

Read: Romans 4:13-25

“In hope he believed against hope…” – Romans 4:18a

Three of us from St. Paul’s went down to Olympia to attend an OPOP (One Parish One Prisoner) conference. There was a panel of men and women who had been in prison for years and were now out and thriving because of the OPOP ministry. They considered their OPOP team and its church as their new family. It struck me as I listened to their stories, their struggles, and their journey into faith, freedom, and healing, just how brave they had to be to reach out in faith to even apply to this program. Several of them said they have never in their lives had any adult ever believe in them or care anything about them. Some have families who still won’t have anything to do with them. No one had seen them as a person of worth. o one had ever acknowledged them as a child of God. But, each one took a leap of faith and reached out to this Christian-based program of people in hope that maybe this time it could be different. Our laws judge but not in mercy. They punish but don’t offer hope, training, or mental health. Yet these released prisoners, who had no reason to believe, are now active members of a faith community and healing from their many wounds. Abraham never gave up, he kept his faith, “In hope he believed against hope”. These former prisoners and their OPOP team didn’t quit and didn’t lose faith even when many had rocky starts. Together in faith, we are reconciled.

Dearest Lord God, we thank you for reminding us of those in need who are in prisons of their mind, their body, and/or their circumstances. Help us to see every human being as a true child of God. Be with us, Lord, as we attempt to be conduits of your message of faith, hope, and love. Amen.
-Sandy

Read: Romans 4:13-25

“(Abraham) grew strong in his faith … being fully convinced God was able to perform what he promised.” – Romans 4:20b

I went to seminary wondering how and why God would bother “calling” me to do such a thing – to become a priest. I had prayed the “sinners’ prayer” years earlier; I had been baptized and confirmed; I had been a faithful church member for most of my young life, except for my time when I had to work Sundays as a police officer in Spokane. I’d paid my taxes and led a relatively moral life (“relative” being a key component to my self-understanding), yet I never felt genuine in my faith. I never felt holy. I knew the word “sin” meant to fall short of the mark, and I knew I’d fallen short of the mark in many areas of my life. So why on earth would God call me?

Then I went to seminary and caught sight of something I’d never really understood before, that our faith isn’t about what we say, do, or believe (although those are part of the story, to be sure); it is about the faithfulness of God. It is God who saves. It is God who heals. It is God who cleanses. It is God who washes. It is God who fills with the Spirit. Everything we say, do, and believe flows from God. God acts and we respond. God has taken the burden of our salvation, the burden of our calling, upon God’s Self. All we do is say, “Oh, OK. Thanks. Duh. Good to know!”

Abraham trusted God; that’s all God asked of him and all God asks of us. That has given me hope to carry on as a Duh-sciple.

Dear God, I know you will give me the strength I need to get through whatever comes my way this day and week. Thank you for being here always, and for always being here. It is your faithfulness that gives me hope. Amen.
-Fr. Keith Axberg

Read: Romans 4:13-25

“In hope he [Abraham] believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations; as he had been told, ‘So shall your descendants be’… That is why his faith was ‘reckoned to him as righteousness.’” -Romans 4:18

I am admittedly rolling my eyes at Abraham being this huge example of trust because he and Sarah gave her servant Hagar to him for him to impregnate instead of waiting for Sarah to conceive. Being the origin of the Ishmaelites through Hagar’s son Ishmael in addition to the Israelites through Sarah does make him the father of multiple nations, but it was probably not the way God intended it to happen. Did God work through Sarah’s womb and allow her to bear Issac? Yes, but shouldn’t Abraham have waited patiently for that to happen? Maybe. Not having a direct heir would have been a scary thing for him because of the idea of his line ending with him, and I can understand trying to hedge his bets a bit.

While he did try to hedge his bets by having the child with Hagar, he *DID* at least trust in his abilities to get *SOMEONE* pregnant and didn’t laugh at the angels as Sarah did. I think he trusted that God was going to provide him an heir, but he was fuzzy on the details. Unfortunately, I do the same thing. What gives me hope in this passage is that Abraham had a level of skepticism as I often do, and he is still held up as a great example of faith. There is hope for me yet.

Help us to trust in your providence, O God, even when we aren’t entirely sure how things will work. Amen.
-Jen McCabe

Read: Romans 4:13-25

“Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.” – Romans 4:16

Wow! I wonder how my Grandfather, a Pentecostal preacher, would have dealt with this passage. Since we lived half a continent apart, I only heard him preach a few times, and Jonathan Edwards’ sermon title, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” summarizes my recollection of his message. He often quoted John 14:6, “I am THE WAY and the truth and the life. NO ONE comes to the Father except through me.” It was THE WAY – and no other.

I grew up hearing and believing that message in a Christian home, and, mostly, a Christian small town. But Paul’s message in Romans tells a different story: Grace is guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring, including Greeks, and by extension Gentiles…”He is the Father of us all.” Hmmm…. Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, tribal cultures, those who are spiritual, but not religious? It sounds like Paul is saying that the answer is “YES,” if we have faith in God. Interactions with many people of various cultures and beliefs over the years have helped redefine my belief system. Many differences define our faith journeys, but our commonality far outweighs these differences.

So, Grandpa, you were right as far as your faith allowed you to go, and you were right in terms of my recognition of Jesus as the way for me. And I will continue to connect with my other brothers and sisters who are Abraham’s children as well!

Dear God, grant us your wisdom and understanding to seek to know ALL of your children and their faith journeys. Amen.
-Cathey Frederick