On This Solid Ground

Michael E. Wood
March 1, 2011


Romans 4:20 No distrust made him waiver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in faith giving glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He promised.

When we think of our forefather Abraham, perhaps his character faults come to mind which displayed his humanity. But in the midst of them we hear this word, “No distrust made him waiver concerning the promise of God,” At the age of ninety-nine, with his wife Sarai being ninety, though their bodies were as good as dead when it came to child bearing, God gave them a son. God had promised that all the nations of the world would be blessed through the seed that would come through Abraham, and that his children would be more numerous than the stars he could count in the heavens. He believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.

Through the eye of the New Testament scriptures and the witness of the Spirit of God we know that the seed of promise is Christ Jesus our Lord, and that it is through Him that all the nations of the world are blessed as many sons of every nation, tribe, and tongue are brought forth in faith giving glory to God.

The count continues to mount, and we find much encouragement in knowing that the promise comes not by natural birth, nor of the will or the ways of the flesh, but of God that raises the dead and calls us unto His eternal glory. Therefore, let us not fret when we do not see with our natural eyes or feel with our natural bodies, especially as we grow older with declining health issues, the fulfillment of those things of which we trust God will bring to pass for His Own glory. But rather, let us give Him the praise; being faithful to sow the Word of His grace in the particular fields He has called us to in our generation, dependant upon His Spirit to bring forth fruit unto eternal life.

Of Father, You know the indelible force
By which You did bring us through Christ to Yourself.
It was through the wounds and the blood of Your Son,
Christ Jesus our Lord through Whom we have health.

Not as this world might perceive or receive,
As they seek now only some temp’ral reliefs.
But in our afflictions; now fixed in our hearts
You pour by Your Spirit eternal beliefs.

For if we lived only by what we can see
Or feel in these bodies which often bring grief,
We of all men would be sorely deceived,
Like Adam seek shelter in some old fig leaf.

But raised with the consciousness of Your abode
With hope of Your glory by which to grow strong,
And faith to increase and mature till the day
You make us like Jesus to Whom we belong.

So as we grow older with each passing day,
Oh fix us more firmly on this solid ground.
That all that comes from You, eternally good
Will for You and through You be to Your renown!