Against All Hope

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations…” Romans 4:18. I looked this passage up this morning as I was praying for what seem like impossible situations. I remembered that phrase, “Against all hope” and wanted to read it from God’s word again. That phrase is so inspiring to me because there was no earthly hope for his situation. He and his wife were far far beyond childbearing years. There was NO hope, BUT God. There are several situations that I am praying for where there is no hope, but God.

When I look with faith on these situations, I realize these are the perfect circumstances for a miracle. But I struggle with the reality of what I see. I want to believe and not doubt, but what do I do with the ‘facts’? I know I shouldn’t dwell on them, but should I deny them? Just try to suppress my thoughts about current reality?

In verse 19 it says, “Without weakening in his faith, he FACED that fact that his body was as good as dead.” Abraham didn’t deny or suppress where he was at in the natural; he faced it head on, “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God… being FULLY persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised” (4:21). He fully recognized his situation, but he was convinced that God was infinitely more powerful than the ‘facts’ that seemed so bleak in ‘reality.’

I needed that perspective after a weekend of doubts. I also want to add something that I wrote in my journal last fall that was a huge source of encouragement when I re-read it. I hope it encourages you, too.

‘So many times I feel so helpless, like I’m drowning, like so much wrong is happening…And like no one sees. No one cares. I am powerless to change it…. But I know that you do see, that you do know, that you do care and that you are here. You are not a God who is far off. Nothing is too difficult for you…
You are working even when I can’t see it!
You never stop!
You never tire of turning curses into blessings!
You never grow weary of making the weak strong!
You never stop taking what Satan meant for evil and turning it for good!
It’s your specialty.'