DATE POSTED
Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

Romans 4:16-19 (NLT): ¹⁶ So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. ¹⁷ That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.¹⁸ Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” ¹⁹ And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

“So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift…”

Imagine if God’s ultimate promise—our salvation—depended on our good works or perfection under the law. We would live in constant anxiety, wondering if we had done enough to earn His favor or if one misstep would cause Him to revoke it.

But praise God that salvation is God’s gift. It is not earned. It is not purchased. It is received through faith in Jesus Christ because of God’s amazing grace.

How do we walk in this kind of faith? Paul points us to Abraham as an example of such faith. Scripture tells us that Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous. Abraham’s faith was remarkable, but even more remarkable was the God in whom he placed his faith. Verse 17 describes Him as the One “who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.”

When Abraham looked at his circumstances, there seemed to be little reason for hope. He was nearly one hundred years old, and Sarah had long since passed childbearing age. Humanly speaking, God’s promise appeared impossible. Yet Abraham continued believing because he trusted the God who made the promise.

Throughout his life, Abraham demonstrated faith by following God’s direction without knowing where the journey would lead. He believed God’s promises when they seemed impossible. He obeyed when he did not fully understand. He trusted that God would provide whatever was needed. Abraham’s confidence was not in himself, but in the faithfulness of God.

When life presents overwhelming challenges, where do you place your trust?

I was reminded of Abraham’s kind of faith when a missionary spoke to our church’s Men’s Group. He shared that after accepting the call on His life by God to serve overseas, he put his home up for sale. Instead of investing the proceeds for his eventual return to the States, he donated the entire sum to his home church. When asked why he didn’t save a safety net for his future, his response left us speechless: “Since I was fully convinced God called me to the mission field, I was just as confident He would provide a home for me when it was time to return.”

That kind of radical reliance on God mirrors the faith Jesus marveled at in Mattew 8:10 when he said: I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!

As I meditated on this reminder from Paul today, I must honestly admit that I have not often exercised that kind of faith. Yet God continues teaching His children to trust Him. Faith grows as we learn to depend upon Him daily. As we trust Him in the small matters of life, we become better equipped to trust Him when larger challenges arise.

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TODAY’S CHALLENGE

When you encounter an impossible situation, where do you turn first? Do you place your confidence in your own understanding, or do you trust the God who brings life from death and creates something from nothing?

Some people turn to the vices of this world when difficulties arise. But God calls His children to trust Him completely. Whatever challenge stands before you today, remember that the God Abraham trusted is the same God we serve. He remains our Strength, our Guide, our Provider, and our Helper.

Place your faith in Him today. The God of the impossible is still at work.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You that salvation and Your promises are free gifts of grace, received by faith and not earned by our own works. Thank You for the example of Abraham, who trusted You even when Your promises seemed impossible from a human perspective. Forgive us for the times we allow fear, doubt, and circumstances to weaken our confidence in You. Help us to remember that You are the God who brings life from death and creates new things out of nothing. Strengthen our faith day by day, Lord, so that we may trust You in the small, everyday moments so that when giant obstacles stand before us, our eyes remain fixed on Your power and goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!