How Many Kings?
Word, Heart & Mind #471 Romans 4:22-25
Romans 4:22-25
22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
My short testimony is this: “I was saved at the age of ten when I trusted in Christ as my Savior!” Inquiring minds might respond by asking, “What exactly are you trusting him for? This is a great question we must clearly understand! If you answer, “To save me from my sins,” that is true, but only a partial answer, and not even the most important part. Being saved from our sins is one of the grand results of our faith, not the reason for it. We are saved because we believe in the promise of the gospel.
We believe that Jesus will do everything he said he would do. (Matthew 10:32; Mark 16:16; Galatians 2:16; 1 John 1:9,4:15, 5:13; Acts 2:38,10:43; Romans 10:9-10, 13; John 3:16,10:28; Philippians 1:6) and many more. We must believe He will fulfill his promises. We trust in Him. He is the truth, and our faith is in Him and all he says and promises. We learn not to worry, doubt, or question. We learn to believe him with all our heart. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
It was Abraham’s faith in God’s word and promises that was counted to him as righteousness. “Counted” means reasoning to a logical conclusion. Because his faith was genuine and he believed God’s promises, it was a right (because of the promise) and a logical conclusion that Abraham would be deemed righteous. We might say it added up. Abraham had faith and offered it to God, and in return, he was called righteous. There is no guesswork, anxious hoping, or fabricating the equation. God can always be trusted to fulfill what he has promised. We are to exercise informed faith in Him, not blind faith!
The greatest blessing of God’s care and promise of salvation is that it is for everyone. Key figures in Scripture seem to be pillars of faith, but in God’s eyes, His promises were not written for his [Abraham’s] sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. What do we believe? That Christ is the Messiah and our risen Savior, overcoming sin and death in order to keep his promises. Who else would do such a sacrificial, loving act of grace? The Lord endured great suffering and humility, being delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
For most of us, keeping promises can be difficult. We may do our best or maybe put in a casual effort. But most people would not sacrifice much to keep a promise. God is different, very different.
Excerpt from How Many Kings
by Downhere, written by Jason Ronald William Germain, Marc A. Martel
How many kings stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart?
How many Fathers gave up their Sons for me?
Just One, the only one who could!
All the sacrifices He made so our faith would be counted as righteousness are overwhelming and humbling. What He did should move us to do all we can to bring Him glory and honor!
This was such a timely reminder. So many of us try to carry burdens, outcomes, and pressures in our own strength until we are exhausted spiritually and emotionally. But God never asked us to be the source, only to remain connected to Him. Apart from Me you can do nothing John 15:5. What stood out to me most is how easy it is to confuse striving with faithfulness. We work, plan, and push ourselves, yet often forget that true strength comes from abiding in Christ and depending on the Holy Spirit daily. Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Zechariah 4:6. I also appreciated the reminder that surrender is not weakness. The world teaches self-reliance, but Scripture teaches dependence on God. Paul said, When I am weak, then I am strong 2 Corinthians 12:10. There is such freedom when we stop trying to control everything and trust the Lord with what only He can carry. Anxiety, fear, and burnout often grow when we take back burdens that belong to God. Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you 1 Peter 5:7. Thank you for pointing hearts back to rest, trust, and surrender in Christ instead of endless striving. May the Lord teach us to walk in obedience while resting fully in His strength and not our own. I also think many believers silently struggle with feeling like they must always be strong, productive, or spiritually “enough,” but God never asked us to sustain ourselves apart from Him. Even Jesus often withdrew to pray and commune with the Father. That alone shows us the importance of remaining spiritually connected and refreshed. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest Matthew 11:28. Real strength is not found in pretending we are capable on our own, but in humbly acknowledging our need for God every single day. The more we rely on Him, the more His grace becomes visible through our weakness. My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness 2 Corinthians 12:9.