TITLE: TRUST HIM FOR HE IS ABLE
TEXT: ROMANS 4: 21 – Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
As we look at the theme God is able, let us look at what the Mathew Henry’s Bible
Commentary says concerning the text for the theme. It says, “It is weakness of faith that
makes a man lie poring on the difficulties in the way of a promise. Abraham took it not for
a point that would admit of argument or debate. Unbelief is at the bottom of all our
staggering at God’s promises. The strength of faith appeared in its victory over fears. God
honours faith; and great faith honours God”.
Beloved, I ask, what has God promised you through His words, prophecies or word of
knowledge? Do you doubt because of a delay in the manifestation of His promises? Doubt is
equal to unbelief which in all ramifications, a sin. I know that if not for Him, many of us would
have long been consumed and destroyed by the enemy.
The Psalmist captures this succinctly in Psa. 124: 1-5. The psalmist says
If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say—
2 if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
when their anger flared against us;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
would have swept us away (NIV).
If it were not God that has been on your side, it could have been worse even if you presume that
the position you are at the moment are not what you expect or desire. Look at what David says in
the above Psalm. He says that if it had not been for God when people attacked us. Beloved, are
you been attacked physical or spiritually or both? It is even possible not to be aware of
some of the attacks you are facing, particularly the spiritual one if you are not discerning. It is
because of such unseen attacks that David says that if it had not been God who has been on our
side. Do you feel the same?
What is the plan of the enemies for us? David in verse 3 says they would have swallowed us
alive when they rages against us. This is what the Lord says is the mission of our main enemy,
the Devil who is behind our known human enemies. The Lord says in John 10: 10a that “The
thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (NIV). That is why whenever we have the
opportunity to witness a new day we should rejoice and go before Him with a thankful
heart. As much as you have means, you must always go before Him with quality thanksgiving. It
is possible for some of us to say we have no enemies. If that is so then you have a greater
reason to thank God, because that means that God had closes the mouth of your enemies and
have given you rest on all sides. That again would be according to His word in Pro. 16: 7 that
“When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace
with them” (NIV).
Beloved, it is important that we are convinced about the God we serve and are serving in
all things and be able to say like Paul that we are persuaded. Brethren, this is an affirmation from
someone who is not in the best of circumstances. Here is someone who probably was going
through physical, emotional and health challenges, but can still state that he is persuaded that
God had the power to do what He has promised to do. This is a statement from someone who
definitely must have been waiting for the fulfilment of a promise either in his personal life or
concerning his ministry. What he was saying is that I may not yet have received it now but I am
convinced that it is on the way. It may not yet have become manifest in the physical but I know it
has been settled in the spiritual. The difference between the physical manifestation and the
spiritual completion is time; the appointed time. No wonder the bible says though it tarries, wait
for it.
As a result of Paul’s conviction in God’s ability he can say boldly in Romans 8: 38 – 39
that what shall separate us from the love of God “ For I am convinced that neither death
nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any
powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV). How can
we be separated from the love of God? One of the surest ways to be separated from the
love of God is for one to withdraw from Him. If you find it difficult to attend services or
you are no longer excited going to worship in His house, then you are putting yourself
away from His love. David said in Psalm 122: 1 that I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
Dear friends and brethren, if I may ask, what are those things that are separating you
from the love of God? Let it be known to you that our God is able.
Shalom
Dr. Yinka Okude
Pastor-in-Charge
RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton
