AGAINST ALL HOPE, IN HOPE BELIEVE GOD’S PROMISES
SCRIPTURE:
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4:18—25 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Paul’s make mentioned of Abraham IN HOPE BELIEVED AGAINST ALL HOPE. This is so encouraging to me and the lesson that I must take away from Abraham’s response to hopelessness. Without hope and faith to go hand in hand, life is impossible. I must learn to have the kind of hope that is against all hope like Abraham. Abraham faced a hopeless situation. He wanted a son, but it seemed impossible because both he and Sarah were advanced in age. Abraham was about 100 years old, and Sara womb was also dead.
What can a 100 year old do with a wife whose womb is dead? These scenarios posed a very difficult situation with Abraham hoping to have an offspring for the future. Still I have learned some lesson on how to be hopeful and my situation is against all hope. IN HOPE Abraham AGAINST ALL HOPE BELIEVED and he became the father of many nations, just has it had been said to him.
How to believe IN HOPE when all that I see is AGAINST ALL HOPE?
- Never let a hopeless situations WEAKENED my faith.
- Never WAVER through UNBELIEF regarding the promises of God
- Let the PROMISES OF GOD strengthened my faith
- Be fully PERSUADED that God has the power to do what he promised
- Faith in God’s power will always be REWARDED…
I never have to work for God’s promise. I don’t have to perform to earn his promises. I only must believe that God is able to do what he promised to do in my life and my situation.
APPLICATION:
There are many situations in life that brings a sense of hopelessness. Sometimes situations overwhelmed us and we forget that God is able to perform his promises. Like Abraham, I must learn not be weakened, or waver in my faith in God’s promises. I must learn to face the fact that my situations is impossible to me, but not impossible to God. I will continue to believe in the promises of God and rest in hope that he is able to do far more above and beyond all that I ask for, dream of, and hope for. I will trust him daily.
PRAYER:
Father, help me to believe in you even though I see impossibility in all my situations. Please help me to believe like Abraham who was not weakened in his faith, nor waver in unbelief. I ask that you teach me to trust in you all my challenges and circumstances that I face in life. I know that you are able so help me trust in your power to perform what you have promised. I pray all these in the name of Jesus, Amen!
