“A faith that we can all have”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Sunday, June 11, 2023
Romans 4:13-25 (Forward, p. 44) CEV p. 1176
Sometimes I have trouble believing in God, that is, trusting in God for everything, especially in terms of the state of the church or the state of the world we live in. I know that we are encouraged to have faith, to have the faith of our spiritual forebearer, Abraham. But then when I read our present passage I find myself quite confused. Verses 19-20 say, “Abraham’s faith never became weak, not even when he was nearly a hundred years old. He knew that his was almost dead and that his wife Sarah could not have children. But Abraham never doubted or questioned God’s promise. His faith made him strong, and he gave all the credit to God” and verse 21, “Abraham was certain that God could do what he had promised”.
It is all fine and good for Paul to say this, but even Abraham’s ‘track record’, his overall performance, this sounds altogether too glib, even erroneous or misleading. We read of numerous occasions where his faith seems weak or faltering. Twice he pawns off Sarah as his sister, merely to save his own neck (Genesis 12:10-20 and Genesis 20:1-18). That doesn’t sound like he’s trusting in God. And then there is the woe-gotten, ill-conceived scheme by both of them to take matters into their own hands and produce an heir through Sarah’s handmaiden Hagar (see Genesis 16:1-3). Again, that doesn’t sound very much like faith. And then again, there is Abraham and Sarah’s experience with the three visitors (Genesis 17:17-21). Once again, that doesn’t sound very much like faith. In fact, I would suggest that if we are only expected to have faith like this, then we can all pass the grade.
Interestingly, none of the commentaries I was able to consult were able to deal with this conundrum, so I will make my own stab at an answer. Firstly, faith can well have a mental component that is hitherto divorced or separate from any specific behaviours. For instance, in Genesis 15:5 we hear that God made certain promises to Abraham and Abraham believed them. That doesn’t mean at all that this faith doesn’t falter at times or be clouded by doubt of some sort or demand some sort of proof. We hear of Thomas wanting to believe but needing grounds for that belief (see John 20:24-25). And we read of the father of the epileptic boy crying out. “Lord, I believe. Help thou my unbelief” (Mark 9:23-24) or the disciples at Jesus’ Ascension who saw Him and yet doubted (Matthew 28:17). And so, our
faith, our trust in Jesus, doesn’t have to be rock solid. Indeed, one of the pervasive messages of our present chapter, Romans 4, is that God’s grace, God’s favour, isn’t dependent on how we ‘perform’ or indeed upon anything that we do or don’t do.
Moreover, it would appear that Abraham’s initial faith, his intellectual or mental agreement and assent to God’s promises back in Genesis 15, had to be tested or tried. Abraham and Sarah had to get to the ‘end of their ropes’ collectively. They had to get to the point where none of their efforts, none of their scheming or plots would be of any effect whatsoever. And yes, most assuredly, at 99 and 89 years respectively, it would certainly have appeared that any and all human efforts would prove ineffectual. So, at that point, it had to be God. So, if Abraham and Sarah were still hanging on to that original promise, they knew that only God could do anything at that point. Only God count be counted upon.
And maybe that is the point of today’s passage, God’s point for us. Our faith will indeed waver at times, be tested at times, all with the result that we will realize that it is not up to us or dependent upon our feeble and halting efforts. Sometimes, it would seem, we have to get to ‘the end of our rope’ where we have no choice but to turn to God and depend upon Him. And, I guess, that is real faith lies. Amen.
Forward notes: “For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’”) (verses 16-17a)
“In the film The Rise of Skywalker, the protagonist Rey struggles when she learns that she is a descendant of villain Darth Sidious. Yet in the final scene, she is asked her name, and she responds ‘Rey Skywalker.’
“I appreciate that Rey chooses not only her family but also her heritage. What she has chosen to believe, and how she has chosen to live, ultimately becomes infinitely more important than her biological descent.
“As someone who has been cut off from his African and Afro-American heritage by white supremacy, I find comfort in Paul’s words, knowing that with the Spirit, I can reclaim my name and heritage. And as a single
person who has had to accept the possibility that I may never have a traditional family, I take comfort in knowing that how I live can leave a legacy and connect me with others.”
Moving Forward: “How can you name and reclaim your identity?”