Abraham shines out through the Bible as the prime example of someone who simply trusted God and was blessed in his faith. Paul recalls for us in Romans 4 Abraham’s cliff top. He had been promised a child through Sarah his wife but biologically speaking it was impossible, they were too old. 4.19 ‘without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was too old ... Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened by his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised to do.’

In other words Abraham did not let his circumstances get him down as we have to admit we do so often. Here was a faith that looked not on what was seen -- on the physical impossibility of old people being parents -- but faith that focused on what was unseen but very real: God’s promise that he would have a child with Sarah and that through his seed blessing would come to all people. One commentator says that he was aware of the physical impossibility but he looked away from it and rose above it. John Calvin applies this truth to our situation ‘Let us also remember that we are all in the same condition as Abraham. Our circumstances are all in opposition to the promise of God. He promises us immortality; yet we are surrounded by mortality and corruption. He declares that he accounts us just: yet we are covered with sins. He testifies that he is propitious (merciful) and benevolent towards us: yet outward signs threaten his wrath. What, then, are we to do? We must close our eyes, disregard ourselves and all things connected with us, so that nothing may hinder or prevent us from believing that God is true.’ In other words: do we believe God’s promises to us? ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’ ‘Peace I leave with you, not as the world gives give I you’ ‘If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask in faith and it will be given him’ ‘If we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ Do we believe God and his promises or are we still playing the negative, despairing, condemning tapes? I mentioned last week, as when we say or think: ‘God could never love me.’ ‘I’m too bad to be ever forgiven.’ ‘There’s no point in anything.’ ‘No-one cares, I’m on my own.’ People of faith take God’s word seriously, they believe his promise to be true, they look up to him in personal relationship. But practical unbelievers, who may be very religious may know God’s promises inside out, even framed on the wall are people who look more to themselves, their feelings, their circumstances than to a living and loving God.

So we need to ask ourselves: ‘Am I a person of real faith?’ Does God forgive and accept me? Is my sin forgiven? How can I tell? How can I be sure? Let’s look at some of the fruits of faith: peace and joy 5.1 ‘Therefore, since we have been justified by faith [a faith like Abraham’s that looks to God and not to himself] we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ... and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so [as we saw last week] we rejoice in our sufferings ...’ Peace in our consciences, hearts and minds at rest with a God no longer hostile to us, no longer threatening us with condemnation. Joy in the celebration of such peace, because we are free!

Eugene Peterson in his version The Message puts it this way: By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us -- set us right with him, make us fit for him -- we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: we throw open our doors to God and discover at the same time that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we hoped we might always stand -- out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. Or as we read in Psalm 18.18 ‘He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.’

I like now and then to go and visit a great stately home, a ‘big house’ with spacious walled in parkland. There’s a sense of ease and contentment just walking about admiring the scenery, wondering at the wealth. Some times I remember the sad history of such places; how this luxurious space was for the privileged few; how many suffered in poverty in squalid hovels not in stately homes? On how many were the gates closed and the dogs set on anyone who dared scale the wall?

God in Christ brings us into a ‘spacious place’ where we may stand tall and shout our praise, no longer restricted, no longer excluded. Nor is it just a matter of a brief sight seeing trip; ‘access by faith into this grace in which we now stand’ means we have the right of living there permanently and of course the entrance is free.

And could we not extend the picture a little bit more to suggest that the landlord’s son instead of ordering the dogs to chase us out takes us by the hand to show us personally more and more of the delights of this spacious place?

Thank you our Father for righteousness a new relationship of forgiveness and acceptance not earned or deserved by us but freely given through faith in Jesus Christ crucified and risen. Help us to see the wonder of peace with you through Jesus Christ Help us to rejoice in the hope of your glory which is for ever and even in our troubles which are only for a time. As a new week begins may we realise something new and fresh in your wide open spaces

May God’s blessing surround you today as you trust him and walk in his way May his blessing within guard and keep you from sin Go in peace, go in joy, go in love.