Moment With The Master
“Hope Against Hope”
Categories: Moment With The Masterwho, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” (Romans 4:18)
In this section of Romans Paul uses Abraham as an example of one he was justified by faith. If we expect to be forgiven of sin and have a relationship with God, we must emulate the faith of Abraham. (vs 16)
God had made a promise to Abraham to multiply his seed, specifically through his wife Sarah. The son born to them and his descendants were to be heirs of the land of Canaan. However there was a problem. Sarah, now 90 years old, was barren. (Genesis 17:17) Never-the-less, Abraham still believed in the promise of God.
Here Paul notes a relationship between faith and hope. "Hope" is an expectation of the future. "Faith" is the basis of such an expectation. Faith is in a person. Hope relates to an anticipated event. Hope is strengthened by confidence in the one who has made the promise.
There is a hope that is based on human experience. A child anticipating a gift, a bride anticipating a wedding, a family anticipating a vacation are all examples of such hope. Abraham’s hope was not based upon human experience, but on the promises of any eternal, and powerful God. He believed in a God who “gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did”. (vs. 16) Abraham’s assurance is based upon his faith in the immutable promise of a supreme and Almighty God.
But, Paul says Abraham “contrary to hope, in hope believed”. Abraham and Sarah up to this point are childless. She is 90 years old and he is 100 years old. The promise of a son seems to be beyond all hope of fulfillment. Still, Abraham took God at his word. He believed all that God said, and anticipated the fulfillment of the promise.
The same God who brought life to the dead womb of Sarah, also brought life to the dead tomb of his own son, Jesus Christ. (Vs. 24) We also have every assurance that God will make good on this promise.
If we limit our hope to earthly expectations we will become discouraged. But in the God of Abraham we have a hope that is sure and steadfast, and an anchor of the soul.
By George Slover
