God not only gave faith to Abraham but he also gave him the grace to overcome unbelief. When God told Abraham that he would inherit a large and prosperous land, Abraham said- Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it? (Genesis 15:8) God responded to Abraham's question by entering into a blood covenant with him. We read in the bible about how God walked in between cut pieces of animals. God was saying through this ceremony- Abraham, if I will not do what I said, let me become like these dead animals. (Genesis 15:8-18) God really did not have to do something so dramatic but God in His grace was doing it to strengthen Abraham.
In the following Chapter we see God do another act of grace to help Abraham overcome his unbelief. He said- By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” (Genesis 22:15-18) God really did not have to swear. What God says will always come to pass. (Isaiah 55:11) I believe, He swore so that Abraham would believe without a shadow of a doubt that the promises of God would be fulfilled.
In the book of Hebrews we see the heart of God that God wants all His children to understand the unchanging nature of his counsel. (Hebrews 6:13-18) The bottom line is that God wants everyone to believe and trust His Words above all else.
Paul wrote- And not being weak in faith, Abraham did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:19-22)
May God give each of us grace and revelation that we too might not waver at the promises of God through unbelief, but be strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, being convinced that what He has promised He is also able to perform. To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 1:25)
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