July 18, 2021 | Jonathan Portillo

Podcast | Spotify

FAITH looks at the life story of Abraham through the lens of his faith. Hebrews 11 says Abraham acted “by faith” 3 different times, and more is written in the faith chapter about him than any other person in the Bible. Join us this summer as we study the life, character, and faith of someone Romans 4:11 calls the “father of faith.”

Waiting on God

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Hebrews 6:13-15 (ESV) God made a promise to Abraham. And as there is no one greater than God, he used himself when he swore to Abraham, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 Abraham waited patiently for this to happen…..

Romans 4:18-21 (ESV) In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

Ecclesiastes 3:11b (NCV) He does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what he is doing.

1. There is a natural delay between planting and harvesting

Ecclesiastes 3:1-5 (NIV) There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under Heaven… A time to plant and a time to harvest…. A time to scatter and a time to gather

2. God is preparing you for your blessing

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.

Romans 8:24-28 (Message) That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. 26-28 Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us…He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

James 2:26 (ESV) For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

3. God ALWAYS keeps His promise

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NET) For every one of God’s promises are “Yes” in him;

Numbers 23:19 (ESV) God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Habakuk 2:3 (CEV) At the time I have decided, my words will come true. You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time, but keep on waiting — it will happen!

Hebrews 6:13-15 (NCV) God made a promise to Abraham. And as there is no one greater than God, he used himself when he swore to Abraham, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 Abraham waited patiently for this to happen, and he received what God promised.