“How old are you?” my grandson asks again. It’s a regular question which I try to regularly dodge.
“How old do you think I am?” I ask back.
His little forehead wrinkles as his eyebrows draw together in concentration. His blue eyes size me up top to bottom and then bottom to top.
“Ninety?” he questions.
Old as Sarah in the Bible.
I used to think God gave us children to keep us humble. I’m pretty sure grandkids take care of any self-pride that might have survived parenting years.
Keep Growing
Abraham was about 100-years-old, when Isaac was born. He’s called “as good as dead” in both the book of Romans and in Hebrews (Hebrews 11:12; (Romans 4:18-25). But as infamous as the great Patriarch is, I recently noticed something else about him I’d missed before.
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. Romans 4:20-21 ESV
Abraham had a growing faith.
Chosen from the pocket of paganism, Abraham left his country and family to travel to an unknown land. In Abraham’s journey, God promised an heir. Sarah, already past childbearing, waited with Abraham, an old man while the clock continued to tick for them both. “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.” Romans 4:20-21 ESV Click To Tweet
The Apostle Paul writes of Abraham, “He believed against hope,” “he did not weaken in faith,” “he grew strong in his faith,” and “he was fully convinced.” Yet these affirmations seem to conflict in so many ways with what we know about him.
He lied about his wife to save his own skin, putting her dangerously close to being thrown into the arms of two different rulers. Infertility created marital stress and strife. In their impatience they contrived another way to conceive a child, one different than God’s plan. Sarah offered her maid, Hagar, as a surrogate mother, and rather than solve anything, it created all sorts of problems.
Never Too Old to Learn
Yet, in-between the promise and its fulfillment, despite some pretty crucial mistakes, Romans 4 tells us that Abraham grew in faith.
Even though Abraham’s years mounted until he was considered as good as dead, he didn’t roll over and quit. He didn’t give up. He didn’t stop learning in his walk with God, and as a result, Abraham’s faith grew.
…he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God… (Romans 4:20-21 ESV)
I remember some of the long trials in my walk of faith, the kind that kept going not just for a day, or a month, but for years. In those testings, sometimes my faith felt as if it was being chopped away at like a lumberjack chopping at a tree.
As Christ followers we must resist indulging doubt in our faith struggles.
Like Abraham, we must continually crawl back to the Source of our faith, giving glory to God.
If spiritual quagmires pull you downward, reach out to believers who will walk with you. Surround yourself not just with empathizers, but with challengers who will share the burden with you in prayer and in God’s Word.
It is when I step back, and look at my trials through the lens of time, that I see how very faithful He has been. My eyes clear and I can begin to see how He has carried me in the palm of His hand. I see how He provided along the way.
Abraham gave glory to God. In the original, the word “gave” means he “entrusted, committed, put it into God’s care.”
Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. Romans 4:3 ESV
An old man, as good as dead, and a 90-year-old wife, gave birth to a healthy son, just as God promised.
“How old are you?” I ask my grandson.
He holds up four fingers.
How about you? How old are you? Are you still growing in your walk with Jesus?
The number of digits in our years holds less importance than the continued growth of our souls.
Committing into God’s care what you see grows trust for what you can’t see. Someday you will look back at a big picture with today’s tiny puzzle piece and marvel at His immense glory.The number of digits in our years holds less importance than the continued growth of our souls. Click To Tweet
Katherine Pasour
Your message provides joy and smiles as I read it on this cloudy, glum day. I think you’re right about chidren and grandchildren being gifts to take care of our pride. They ask pointed questions and aren’t shy about reminding us of our faults. We learn so much from Abraham and Sarah’s story and your message gives us both discernment and hope. Thank you.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Katherine. I am so grateful for your comment. The post had a lot of writer’s angst attached, but your response encouraged me. I’m glad we can still grow at any and every age!
Candyce Carden
I, too, am at a point in life when I can look back and see through all those hard times that God was working things together for my good. So thankful for His faithfulness and perseverance.
What encouragement this post offers for a younger generation stuggling to find the Way.
Sylvia schroeder
Candyce, thank you. It is a wonderful blessing to be able to look back and see what once we could not. So grateful for a faithful and loving Father. I appreciate your encouraging comments.
Joanna Eccles
Thanks for the reminder to keep growing in faith in Christ, and not give up even when circumstances don’t go as planned.
Sylvia Schroeder
Joanna, I always love hearing from you. Thank you for weighing in. We all need that reminder, and I feel like it doesn’t matter what season I’m in, I need a growth kick-start now and then. Thanks!
Nancy E. Head
Lord, make us wise, please.
It’s funny what kids think of as “old”, and it’s funny how “old” gets later as we grow up.
Thanks, Sylvia. God bless!
Sylvia Schroeder
It is kind of a moving target isn’t it?! Thanks Nancy for again joining the conversation! It’s always an encouragement.
J.D. Wininger
Enjoyed your post, as always, Ms. Sylvia. How true ma’am. We must continue to cultivate and grow a stronger faith, with deeper roots in His Word. As far as your age? “Older than you” was always my response.
Sylvia Schroeder
Growing just keeps going, doesn’t it J.D.? Thank you for encouraging me today.
Annie Yorty
This is such a great post, Sylvia! Our faith grows and stands firm when we give glory to God. And I love how you brought in the role of fellowship to bolster our faith and praise for God. Thank you!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Annie for your kind words. Growth does come with a bit of intention, and sometimes a little push from another grow-er helps!
Yvonne Morgan
As I age, I really enjoy learning new things. We are never too old to learn.
Sylvia Schroeder
I’m so glad you are a learner! It sometimes has to be forced on me…aka…technology!! But, yes, we are never too old to continue learning, and I am so grateful that there is so much more to learn about our Jesus! Thank you Yvonne!
Nancy Speizer
I luuuuuv the photo!!!! 🥰
Sylvia Schroeder
I luuuuuuuv that you do!
Sharon
Amen!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Sharon for taking the time to read and I’m always glad to hear from you!