Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC

Romans 4:13-22
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 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.” 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. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”

It started as a normal day for the 44 people aboard United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, but it would soon change. Just 46 minutes after takeoff four hijackers stormed the cockpit and took control of the plane in an effort to fly it into the U.S. Capitol Building according to later investigative reports. The passengers and flight attendants then began to receive phone messages sharing the horrific events in New York and at the Pentagon and soon they realized exactly what was happening. The plane they were seated on was now being used as a weapon to kill many more innocent lives.

Enter Todd Beamer. Todd Beamer and the others on Flight 93 had a choice to make. Sit by and watch it happen, or take action. They chose to take action, and the rest is now American history. After Todd had recited the 23rd Psalm and asked if the other guys were ready, they leapt to action with the now famous words, “Let’s roll!”

Scripture says here that all the odds were against Sarah and Abraham to have Isaac. Abraham was 99, Sarah 90, her womb barren, he as good as dead (you know you’re old when God says you’re as good as dead!). There was no possible way according to all worldly standards that God’s promise could be fulfilled, but Scripture says in hope against hope he believed. I can just hear Abraham saying, “okay Lord, let’s roll!” when the Lord reiterated His promise.

No matter what you’re walking through right now in your life, know that the world doesn’t have the last say….GOD DOES! His promises will be fulfilled and His plan for your life will come to fruition! Follow Abraham’s example. Today, pray to the Lord and say, “Let’s roll Lord! Let’s do this!” It also says here that his faith grew stronger through the waiting as He gave God the glory. In other words, he praised the Lord for the fulfillment of the promise before it ever came. Today, praise God for what He’s going to do. It’s easy to say thank you for what He’s done, it’s an entirely different thing to praise Him beforehand. May we shout to God, “Do it today! Do it now!” Shout like the great worship song we sing, “You will do it again Lord!”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, you’re faithful. I believe Your Word Lord. No matter what I face, I know Your promises will be fulfilled. So today Lord, let’s roll! Let’s do this! Today, I will give You praise and will give you all the glory! In Jesus name, amen.

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him,  and he will make straight your paths.