Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it has been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead–since he was about a hundred years old– and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness– for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Romans 4: 18-25
Against all hope, Abraham believed that God could do what He had promised, even when it seemed like the promise was impossible, and his actions were credited to him as righteousness. Abraham and Sarah were too old to have a child, at least according to the natural world, but God is able to do things that are impossible for people. Further, Paul tells us that, when we believe Jesus died for our sins and was raised for our justification, God credits our faith as righteousness as well.
I am fascinated by the words “against all hope” in these verses. It doesn’t say “against some hope” or even “against most hope” but against all hope. I recently saw a post on Facebook where peace, faith, love, and hope were lit candles. The first candle was peace, and it went out because people are angry and nodody can keep it lit. The second candle was faith, and it went out because it was no longer indispensable. The third candle was love, and it went out because people don’t think love is important. A child saw the unlit candles and cried out in fear, but the fourth candle, hope, told the child not to worry because as long as hope burns, peace, faith, and love can be relit.
If we believe that God is capable of fulfilling His promises, even when those promises are againt all hope, we can become like the hope candle. We can help to relight those around us who feel like peace is a pipe dream, faith is futile, and love is a letdown. If we accept that Jesus died for us and was raised for our justification, we have hope, even in the most hopeless of situations. We can share that good news with others, and bring hope to those who are living without hope.
Father, against all hope, Abraham believed that you could do that which you had promised, and you credited it to him as righteousness. Help us to have the same faith, that unwavering belief that you can do all that you have promised us. Help us to share that hope with others around us, especially those who feel like their peace, faith, and love candles have been extinguished. Help us to be your hands and feet to those who have lost hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
