“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed... being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:18-21)
“Against all hope.” A different translation reads, “when everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway.” He and Sarah desperately wanted a son and God had promised one. But at this stage of his life, the couple was old. The Bible says his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old.” By every standard of measurement, he would die childless in a foreign land, but “Abraham believed anyway.”
"...in hope, he believed." As Christians we know the power of hoping in God. Many times, its all we have to cling to when struggling through life. This is exactly what Abraham experienced. Doctors understand the power of hope as well. They observe patients with severe diagnosis clinging to their hope in God. The world of psychiatry has taken note of hope too.
They have identified it as Hope Theory. One prominent psychologist said, "“Hope isn’t a denial of what is, but a belief that the current situation is not all that can be." As the world of medicine and therapy are coming around to the idea of hope, the church has known all along that hope is rooted in the fact that "God has the power to do what he had promised all along."
God was the source of Abraham's hope, not his circumstances. God had promised him a son, and so he believed that promise. He was “fully persuaded."
The promises of God are like a cool cup of water to someone dying of thirst. They can refresh an exhausted soul and encourage the weakest faith. That’s how they worked in Abraham’s life. One month passed after another and still Sarah was not pregnant. Instead of giving up, he leaned hard on God's promises.
Are you without hope? Drink in the promises of God to his children:
When you’re anxious:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.4:6-7)
When you’re in need:
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.4:19)
When it seems as if God’s not answering your prayers:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matt.7:7)
When you’re afraid:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7)
When you’re alone:
“...God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)
When you’re under attack from the evil one:
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2Thess.3:3)
When you’re in danger:
“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8).
The Bible is like a water fountain in the wilderness. Drink from the fountain of God’s promises and your faith will be strengthened, and your soul encouraged.