HE CALLETH THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NOT, AS THOUGH THEY WERE.
Hi guys, I don't want to dwell too much on my inactivity so from the deepest part of my heart, I apologize. I planned to write an entire story (lol) on what has been going on with me but after going to church mid-week, I concluded that the sermon/revelation delivered by Pastor Sam Oye could not and should not be assimilated by only me.
You know the popular aphorism that the Bible is a guide for every situation? I’ve always known this and seen it established in countless instances and of course it was a reminder of the compass I have in my hand that will help me navigate life in the present and the future.
That being said, there are a thousand and one translations of the bible. I use the Youversion Bible App seeing as it’s the simplest for me to work round and it has numerous versions. So enough of the rambling, for ease, I’ve written out the verses below in two comprehendible versions.
The Book of Romans 4 verses from verse 17: American Standard Version.
17- 21
“As it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee before him who he believed, even God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were. Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which he had been spoken, so shall thy seed be. And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; and yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform.”
Message Version (MSG)
17-18
“We call Abraham ‘father’ not because he got God’s attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn’t that what we’ve always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, ‘I set you up as father of many peoples’? Abraham was first named ‘father’ and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life; with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but what on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, ‘You’re going to have a big family, Abraham!’
19-25
Abraham did not focus on his own impotence and say ‘it is hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child.’ Nor did he survey Sarah’s decades of infidelity and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God’s promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That is why it is said, ‘Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right.’ But its not just Abraham; it’s also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the one who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.”
There are so many things to see and take from these verses. While trying to break it down I will also make it brief.
Even God, who giveth life to the dead and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.
This verse HIT ME!!! Do you see the authority in this verse? Obviously we know the power of God and the extent to which his power and promises can and will go. Now, the underlining message here is the fact that God calls things that are NOT as though they were. Let’s pause here.
"And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; and yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform.”
At the age of 100 and 90, God told Abraham and Sarah that they would have a child. Actually, Abraham wouldn't just be a father to his child, but to nations. Isn’t that funny? At 100 years of age? In fact, what is even comical is Sarah. A 90-year-old woman who had past her prime would be pregnant? Take a moment to imagine this because for me, it is almost medically impossible (I stand to be corrected).
So, God called Abraham a father when in reality he had long passed the age of getting a woman pregnant and was weak (for lack of choice of word). HE CALLED ABRAHAM WHAT WAS NOT IN EXTISTENCE AS THOUGH IT WAS. He was not a father in the natural but the blessing of a child was being formed in the spiritual realm. SO HE SPOKE IT AND CALLED HIM WHAT HE WAS YET TO BECOME BECAUSE WHAT HE WAS YET TO BECOME WAS WHAT HE ALREADY WAS.
What are some of the things that are not currently in your life you need? Could it be a job? A degree? A child? CALL IT AS THOUGH THEY WERE. The things that are NOT shall be BUT YOU need to call them into being. Talk about it as though it already exists. In essence, whatever you call yourself is what you will be. It’s a matter of time.
Proverbs 18:21
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he thought he couldn't do, but what God said he would do.
God has made a multitude of promises to us but we fail to remind him of those promises. I know it’s a lot sometimes but it is easier if you can identify what exactly you need God to come through for you. Check the index of your bible and it will assist you in your prayer to God. He is bound by His word because He’s not a God of empty promises. Forget your reality and focus on the power you have within you. Are you tired of trekking? Call that car into existence. Are you waiting for your visa? Start seeing yourself in that country. Stand your ground with the Lord by your side. Abraham didn't tiptoe around God’s promise asking cautiously skeptical questions as we can see in the scripture.
This is the simplicity of the law of faith. If you want to see something, you must have faith and believe, fill your thoughts with it and START SPEAKING IT!
‘Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right.’ But its not just Abraham; it’s also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the one who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless.
Just imagine every morning you wake up; you look yourself in the mirror and/or place your hand on your chest and speak over yourself. Speak light when there is darkness; speak peace when there is chaos. “Stop living life to chance. Fill in the blank spaces.”
So Thank God for what He has already done for you in 2019 and your future. This is the best way to step into 2019.
SONG: PRAISE HIM IN ADVANCE - MARVIN SAPP
Love xx