In Hope Against Hope He Believed
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In Hope Against Hope He Believed
Believing in God’s promises is absolutely necessary, if we want to receive His promises. If we essentially choose to call God Almighty, our Creator and Redeemer, a liar by thinking He has not promised us anything of value — we won’t receive any of His many promises — let alone the free gift of eternal life.
There is proof that God keeps His promises — tons of proof. Only one piece of evidence is found in Genesis 17:4-5, where God makes a promise to Abram,
As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you,
And you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
No longer shall your name be called Abram,
But your name shall be Abraham;
For I will make you the father of a multitude of nations.
One might tend to shrug their shoulders and say, “So? What does that mean to me?”
Everything. It is a small bit of the evidence that we can trust God and that we had better listen up and start putting our faith where faith belongs.
Abraham was just an old man with no children. He was ninety-nine. And yet, God Almighty is telling him that he will be “the father of a multitude of nations.” Not just one nation, but “a multitude of nations”. Sounds a bit far-fetched. Nevertheless, that promise came true.
We are the children of Abraham — IF we put our faith in Christ Jesus. Paul spends all of Galatians 3 explaining this and ends by explaining,
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
So, Paul makes it plain that it doesn’t matter what nationality we are. If we believe in Christ Jesus, we are a child of Abraham — a child of faith.
Just believing in God makes His promises come true for us. In spite of all odds, Abraham believed in the love, power, and faithfulness of the LORD. Abraham’s faith led to the Savior’s birth, suffering, death, and resurrection. That led to people from all nations having a faith just like Abraham’s. Having a faith just like Abraham makes us the children of Abraham and the children of God.
Therefore, Paul says in Romans 4:18,
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.”
“In hope against hope” we need to believe God regarding the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. That faith should make us willingly live according to God’s word — just because He is the LORD of lords, who definitely keeps His promises.
Believing, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, thank You for faithfully loving me in Jesus Christ, and for giving me the promise of eternal life.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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