How our faith is to be like Abraham’s

I am preaching on Romans 4:13-22 on Sunday. Paul’s argument in this section is that Abraham was saved by faith and not through works of the law.

In this context, Calvin reflects on how our faith should be like Abraham’s:

Let us also remember, that the condition of us all is the same with that of Abraham.  All things around us are in opposition to the promises of God: He promises immortality; we are surrounded with mortality and corruption: he declares that he counts us just; we are covered with our sins: He testifies that he is propitious and kind to us; outward judgments threaten his wrath.  What then is to be done?  We must with closed eyes pass by ourselves and all things connected with us, that nothing may hinder or prevent us from believing that God is true (quoted in Moo, 284).

This does not mean that we take an existential leap of faith, but rather that we trust the Word of God rather than our perception of circumstances.