Romans 4:21
21 And [kai] being fully persuaded
[plerophoreo] that [hoti], what [hos] he had promised
[epaggello], he was [esti] able [dunatos] also [kai] to perform [poieo]. KJV-Interlinear
21 fully
convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. ESV
Far too often people makes comments, that are a result
of phony emotional expressions, and not through legitimate spiritual growth. Their comments are more for the ears of
others, to impress others, rather than from the source of a genuine spiritual
edification.
Being thoroughly persuaded, is a result of being
thoroughly educated through doctrine.
The big difference, is in the degree of tests that they
have or have not, experienced in life.
It is easy to say all of the right things, so others
can hear. But it is a far different
thing, when life crushes you, where others cannot see, and it is only you, your
thoughts, and God.
And it is an even far different thing, when you face
the impossible odds, where there is no immediate or obvious solution, and you
are totally helpless.
Abraham was totally helpless. Both he and his wife, were completely and physically
unable to have children. All of the
physical apparatus was shut down, and the ideas of surrogacy or adoption of
course were not available. But then,
Gods promise was for a child through the marriage between Abraham and Sarah,
and from no other source. So all alternatives
were out.
Abraham had to rely on a miracle, something that was
far beyond his control.
The closest that you can come to that sort of helplessness
is being in a war zone, where there are bullets flying all over the place, and
you have no control over whether or not a bullet will find you.
And the more difficult situation comes from life
itself, when you have bills, no money, no job, and life has shut down all
around you. Then you have to wait through days and weeks and months, and
perhaps even years, while not knowing what or when things will come your way.
At least in a war zone, you know where the enemy
is. But in day to day life, you do not know
what tomorrow will bring. And the tomorrows
never stop, and the worry and wondering seems to never let up.
Day to day life is the most difficult test of them
all, when everything is uncertain and nothing is clear.
So, then you are in Abrahams world of tests, or Jobs
world of tests.
And the longer you are in the test, the more difficult
time you will have with faith.
But, stick with a daily study and you will persevere. Ignore your daily study and all of your
pretense will fade.
No test is effective until the test is very real. And real tests are not generally publicized
for others to see and to be impressed with you or your life.
