As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
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.” 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.
Romans 4:17-21
What do you do with a seemingly hopeless situation?
We’ve all been there. Perhaps you are there right now. Your circumstances are making a very strong case for hopelessness. You may think life will always feel this way and you wonder if joy will ever reside in your soul once more.
Your prayers seem to be bouncing off the walls.
The darkness creeps in.
Your sighs are heavier than you’ve ever remembered.
It doesn’t seem that things will ever be different.
What a gift to have a snapshot of Abraham’s journey through his hopeless situation. Here was a man with a promise from God that he would be the father of a great nation. Ironically, he and his wife Sarah were unable to have children. At this point, they were beyond the age of child bearing and as the days turned into months and then years, the situation grew more hopeless.
And yet, even though all of the circumstances pointed to hopelessness, Abraham dug deep into his faith and held on. He reminded himself of who God was and that He was greater than what he saw, greater than his reality. Abraham knew what God had promised and held on with all of his might. He knew God was more powerful than the circumstances before him and that in one moment, God could change everything.
What do we do when all seems hopeless?
- Remind ourselves of God’s promises.
- Speak the truth of who God is.
- Be faithful to walk in obedience with God.
- Trust that in God’s perfect timing and in His perfect plan, all will be made right.
Speak these verses over and over in your heart and mind during times of doubt:
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:-8)
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19a)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6)
When we look back on this hopeless season of our life, may it also be said of us that we were “fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:21)
May we continue to live…
Rooted in Him,
