Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be. Romans 4:18
How many of us are facing situations that are against all hope? Perhaps it is a debt, disease, financial crisis, marriage problems, family, depression, frustration, addictions and death of a beloved one to name a few. Some situations are so critical that we may lose hope towards a solution.
Though we may try hard with all our efforts and resources, we end up too far from the results we expect. The same happened to Abraham.
Each one of us has problems and none of us can judge if one’s problems are high or less important. My problems may seem to you small and your problems might seem to me small as well, but each one of us knows in our own flesh how painful it is despite of what others may think.
The wife of Abraham (Sara) was barren and they wanted so much to have their own child, but they were old and the period of Sara had long ago stopped. That was their problem and they were against all hope.
Genesis 18:11 says: Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.
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. Romans 18:19
Abraham had reason enough to believe that his case had no solution. Just like sometimes we have reason enough to give up a dream or to give up living because a certain situation seems to be completely helpless. When hard situation comes, some people has the tendency to weaken their faith and stop believing in God, they stop attending the church, they stop reading their Bible and consequently they become completely empty and weak.
But Abraham faced his fact and despite his body was good as dead and the womb of his wife was dead as well, he did not weaken his faith!
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God. Romans 18:20
Abraham did not wave through unbelief despite his situation. His faith was constant it was not like the waves of the sea that are constantly up and down. It is common to see people strong when they come and listen to a message in the Church, but as soon as they arrive at home or at the work, they become down caste again and stop believing the promises of God.
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James 1:6-8
Abraham believed in God’s promise, he believed wholehearted despite of his apparent situation; he lived by faith and not by sight. If we are like the waves of the sea, full of ups and downs; most certainly we are not going to receive anything that we are expecting to receive.
Abraham did not complain to God about his situation, on the contrary his strengthened his faith and gave glory to God.
I know that to wait for God’s time isn’t easy; however, God’s time is always perfect. When God promised a son to Abraham, Abraham was ninety years old, but his son only came when he was around one hundred years old. And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Genesis17:1
Abraham waited for ten years in order to see his dreams to come true! So many people give up believing because they are waiting for some days, some months or even some years. God’s time is always perfect even if it takes a bit longer. Abraham waited in faith, without weakening in disbelief.
His situation was against all hope, to have a baby was against all odds, but he believed in hope that God would fulfill His promise.
Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised .Romans 4:21
My friend, do not give up! Do not stop believing! Even if everything around you seems to be over. Remember that everything is possible for him who believes.
God bless you abundantly.
