Either Way, God Works

photo credit: JWNOWSIn Romans 4:17b Paul writes of Abraham, “He is our father in the sight of God in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.”

1. “The God who gives life to the dead” – Resurrection
2. “Calls things that are not as though they were” – Creation

In this verse, both resurrection and creation exist in the context of the promises of God. Specifically “gives life to the dead” refers to Abraham’s old body and Sarah’s dead womb (v. 19). “calls things that are not as though they were” is the name God gave him – “Abraham,” the father of many nations. Even though he didn’t have a son yet with Sarah!

What then is the message? It is the power of faith, of believing that God can give life to that which has died, and can create that which does not exist. Read verse 20: “Yet Abraham 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.”

Through believing and faithful prayer, we too experience both resurrection and creation in our lives. They are closely aligned in that each produces new life: resurrection by bringing new life to the dead, and creation by giving life to something new.

Believe me, I know how sharp unanswered prayer can be. But is it unanswered? I don’t think so. Here is an example. I have had serious conflicts with the IRS. That is NOT fun, believe me. I ended up owing them a great deal of money, and I thought that the only way out was to go for an Offer in Compromise. I prayed intensely that I would get it, because I knew I qualified. Others prayed intensely that I would get it. And I came so very, very close – and then it was denied. I was devastated because I had no idea how I was going to pay that huge tax bill, which the IRS said was too large to make installment payments on. They reconsidered, but the monthly installment payments they demanded were so large they have driven me out of my home. What was I going to do?

I was going to pray. And so I did. I trusted God that He would take care of me. And what happened was better than the OIC would have been. The IRS miraculously granted me an installment payment plan of a small amount each month, the only thing I could afford. My tax consultant was shocked that they offered it to me, but I knew why they did. Praise God!

As it turns out, the payment plan was immensely better than having to come up with significant OIC payments that I could not have afforded anyway. So the specifics that I asked for – the OIC – were not granted. I trusted God anyway, and He ended up giving me what I actually needed – a workable way to pay off that large debt.  I believe it happened because I was confused over why God did not grant my original prayer, but I did not lose faith. I believe that He would act. And He did, in power – even though the situation rose out of my own mistakes and bad choices!

When we are interceding and petitioning God, think about the things we are asking for. Is it bringing life to the dead? A shattered relationship, lost job, a failed dream? Or is it asking for something to be created? Salvation for a loved one, a new ministry, a baby? We may ask for both of these things. The key is to believe. And even when our specific prayer seems to go unanswered, keep right on believing.

Believe. Pray – and believe.