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

 

Pray for our country.

 

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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