In Romans 4, we see hope against all hope.
18 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
Abraham trusted fully in God to bring forth His promises.
In the verses above, Paul shows us that Abraham had hope against all hope. He believed God’s Word. His faith didn’t weaken even when his body was as good as dead.
What is the definition of “hope”? It is Expectation. Expectation of His Word coming to life for us.
We can EXPECT God’s promises to come.
Abraham did not waver in his faith that God had power to do what He promised. And we are grafted into the very promise with Abraham. Jesus Christ took our death so that we can be raised to life and be justified in Him.
We are like Abraham before he had Isaac – when his body was as good as dead. Without Jesus, we are as good as dead. We are brought to life through our belief in Jesus and the work He did for us on the cross. We know this truth but it is so easy to get discouraged when we don’t see things changing in our circumstances.
We question God’s presence in our lives.
Especially when we are in the “holding pen” as Abraham was for 50 years waiting on the promise. In Isaiah 55, wonderful words show us how much higher God is than us. And how much higher His ways are over our ways. We also see how His Word will never return to Him void. These words give us hope against all hope.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.Isaiah 55:8-11
When we get discouraged and start thinking of taking things into our own hands, remember these words. Remember Abraham and how long he waited for the promise God gave him. Then remember how grand and awesome the promise truly was when it did happen in Abraham’s life! God’s Words water us and cause us to flourish. They give us seed and bread!
Don’t forfeit the promises He has for you.
Our Father is good and true. We need to be patient and lean into Him for strength when we are against all hope.
Stay in the Light and the Love Always,
Eva
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