(As it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations) in the presence of Him whom he believed — God, Who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did (Romans 4:17).
God wants us to imitate Him in all things. One of the ways He desires that we imitate Him is in calling those things that do not exist as though they did. The above verse is rich in helping us understand the basic concepts of walking by faith.
First of all, notice that it says that God calls things that do not exist as though they did. Calls in this verse refers to speaking words. And that’s an important part of understanding faith. Faith must be released with words! And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke, we also believe and therefore speak (2 Corinthians 4:13). But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach) (Romans 10:8).
Faith never floats out of our heart independent of our words. Words convey faith from the human spirit to God.
Then notice in this verse that God calls those things that do not exist as though they did. He changed Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of a multitude). Jesus is the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Everything exists in two realms; first the spiritual and then the natural. God spoke the world into existence from things unseen with words (Hebrews 11:3).
To put this together, I must speak what God says about me and my life even when it doesn’t seem that it is true. I must say I believe I’m healed according to the word while the symptoms get worse in my body. I must say my God is meeting all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus while the bills are piling up. I must say in all these things I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me while I feel defeated. I must say He promised to never leave me or forsake me even when I feel alone!
Faith receives before it sees the results. It believes before there is any manifestation of the answer to prayer. And it talks the way it wants things to be, not the way they are!
I have lived this way now for many years. Obstacle after obstacle, challenge after challenge has come my way just as they come to your life. Through the years I have made a choice to act in faith by calling those things which do not exist as though they did when sickness, overbearing circumstances, financial lack, or whatever comes my way. And time and time again God has proven Himself faithful to His Word.
Years ago we outgrew the church building we built. I asked the Lord for a new piece of property with a new building adequate for long term growth. And then the test began. My board and I looked for several years at all kinds of property and buildings and it seemed as though we hit a wall at every turn.
For years I reminded God of His word over and over again. I thanked Him for providing the property and building we needed even though nothing seemed to be working out. I knew that if I trusted God and acted as though I believed His Word by calling those things that do not exist (that are not visibly seen that I asked God for) as though they did exist and were mine, that sooner or later they would manifest! Some days I wondered how long it would take, and the temptation came to doubt. But, I would instead say out loud what i believed and the doubts would leave!
We have been in that new property for a year now! God honored His Word. I have hundreds of stories in my own life just like that. Start today to call those things that do not exist as though they did and watch the miracle working power of God work for you too!
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