Believing in Hope

HOPE AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations” (Romans 4:18 NLT).

One of the greatest scriptural examples of faith is Abraham, who is often called “the father of faith.” He left his homeland and journeyed to a land that God said he would give him. He believed in a God he could not see, to take him to a land where he had never been, and established a nation he would not live to witness. He lived in hope, believing in God to keep His promise, “Your descendants will be so many that they will be impossible to count!” (Romans 4:18 TPT).

The promise of even one child seemed impossible to the aging couple who were still childless when many others had dozens of grandchildren. However, “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises” (Romans 4:20-21 NLT). It was that kind of faith that caused him to hope for a child and a lineage to fulfill the promises of God. 

​Paul wrote that Abraham, “contrary to hope, in hope believed” (Romans 4:18 NKJ). Following his example, we can dare to hope in the face of undeniable evidence to the contrary. When all seems impossible and the situation is hopeless, there is still hope to hold onto and a reason to believe. The Passion Translation said, “Against all odds, when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promise and expected God to fulfill it. He took God at his word, and as a result he became the father of many nations” (Romans 4:18 TPT). 


Theme passage:
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NKJ).