Hope Against Hope

In our culture, we are hopeful about many things. We may hope for good weather for a special activity. A student may hope to do well on an upcoming test. Right now many Detroit Tiger fans are hoping their team will come back and put up a fight in the World Series. I am hoping the USC Trojans finish their season strong and continue to win.

We may hope for a lot of things, but even in our hope we aren't always very hopeful. Although Tiger fans are still hoping to win the World Series, they are down 1-3, and may not be very optimistic.

Biblical hope is totally different. It is not wishful thinking; it is a confident expectation. Abraham displayed this kind of hope, described for us in Romans 4:18-21. In hope against hope he believed, in order that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "So shall your descendants be." And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.

Abraham had hope in a hopeless situation. He was 100 years old, and his wife Sarah was 90. From a human perspective, their chance of having a baby at this point was no chance at all. It was impossible. Yet Abraham did not become weak in faith (v. 19); he did not waver in unbelief (v.20). How could he do this? He was fully assured that God was able to fulfill His promise (v. 21). God had promised a son, and Abraham trusted God. He knew God would keep His word.

Like Abrahm, we can count on God's faithfulness.

Psalm 12:6--The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.

Proverbs 30:5--Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. God's Word passes the test every single time.

Deuteronomy 7:9--Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation to those who love Him and keep His commandments.

Psalm 36:5--Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Thy faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Deuteronomy 32:4--The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

Isaiah 25:1--O Lord, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will give thanks to Thy name; for Thou hast worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. God's faithfulness is absolutely perfect.

Are you facing a difficult situation? From a human perspective, do your circumstances seem hopeless? Follow Abraham's example, and focus on the Lord. He is sovereign, good, loving, and powerful. Remind yourself of these truths, and you too can have hope against hope.

Lamentations 3:21-23--This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's lonvingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness.