21 and being fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able also to perform."
These verses are talking about Abraham's reaction when God informed him that he and Sarah would have a child - he was 100 and Sarah 90 years old. Abraham never doubted but Sarah did. She sent Hagar her handmaid to lie with Abraham in order to help God out.
The result was the birth of Hagar's son, Ishmael, who was the first of a new tribe of Arabs that grew from his 12 sons into all the tribes that hate Israel today. They claim Ishmael as the firstborn who should inherit the blessings of Abraham.
God's promise was fulfilled in the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah. He was the seed from which the Hebrews would come.
Romans 9 v 7: "Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children (of Israel): but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called.". Isaac was the seed through whom God's covenant people would come. Not Ishmael. (My brackets)
So Abraham knew that what God promises is true. We can believe His promises too. If God says it, I believe it even if every other voice says otherwise. Even if circumstances seem to prove me wrong I believe God has a plan which will come to pass in His precise timing.
Noah was told to build an Ark hundreds of miles from the sea in a place that had not seen rain for over 100 years. Everyone mocked him but he kept going as God promised him and his family it would be needed to preserve their lives. Pairs of all the animals, birds, reptiles, insects were brought on board to restore them to Earth after the Flood.
The mocking stopped when torrential rain fell and geysers burst open to bringing a flood that would destroy the people because of their gross sin. They screamed for Noah to let them in but God Himself had closed the door.
God has promised safety to those who believe in Jesus and and who conform to His body. We have to be part of Him, in a relationship with Him that is higher than any other human relationship. The deeper we go with Jesus the more intimate and powerful are our marriages and family relationships.
Jesus is like Noah's Ark! The only safe place is inside Him through being born again and baptised. Through whatever storms you are facing the Ark is unsinkable. Jesus can handle anything life throws at you if you let Him.
His promises are true and you can trust Him with everything. He is able to do the unthinkable. He stopped the Sun from going down for almost 24 hours for Joshua to win a battle. He rose from the dead to justify our salvation. He rescued every one of us from eternal death. Nothing is impossible for Him.
Those who deny Jesus and mislead people down strange paths into wrong religious groups will face an angry God and an eternity of pain. It can happen to anyone who allows complacency, false doctrines and indifference to cause backsliding so don't tempt our Father in Heaven. He will not permit any sin to enter there.
Is your faith strong, unwavering, steadfast, enduring and willing to believe in the impossible? Are you exercising your faith daily so that when something tries to confuse you your hand is firmly held by Jesus to prevent a problem? Its a life of no compromise with the devil. Its a life filled with joy for the true believer.
Prayer: Heavenly Father Jesus asked if He would still find faith on Earth when He returns. I promise to keep my faith strong so that the enemy loses interest. I pray that everyone will keep the faith with Him to see the miracles and healing power working through them for those in need. In Jesus' name. Amen.