(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. God looks at things as if they have already fulfilled their final destination!
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!
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! Thank you Father that according to the Word of God, my body is healed! Thank you Father, that all of these needs I have are met by You! Thank you Father that I have overcome this taxing ordeal! Thank you Father, that I am full of joy, peace, and rest.
What do you need from the Father? All things are possible with God. All things are possible to him who believes. Ask Him for what you need today, then begin to call those things are are not as though they exist!