Romans 4:18-22

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."

 

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations 

Romans 4:17  As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." (Genesis 17:5) 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.

 

just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 

Genesis 15:5  He (the LORD) took him outside and said, "Look up at the sky and count the stars--if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 

he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead 

Hebrews 11:11-12  And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

since he was about a hundred years old 

Genesis 17:17  Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?"

but was strengthened in his faith 

1 Samuel 30:6  David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

and gave glory to God 

1 Chronicles 29:11  "Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all."

being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised 

Genesis 18:14  "Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son."

Matthew 19:26  Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 

Romans 4:3  What does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." (Genesis 15:6)

(parentheses are mine)

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