To Receive, Expect: Hope Against Hope

Published on Aug 16, 2023
Category: Devotion | unbelief

Romans 4:18-20:
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
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Hope is the feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen. And that is a feeling we all understand. We all have hopes, dreams, and aspirations. But Abraham, the Bible says, against all hope, in hope believed. Abraham hoped against hope! And that is what set him apart. And what really does that mean?

Abraham hoped when there was no hope: The hope that he had, made no human sense. Abraham hoped when the facts were contrary to logic. He was about a hundred and Sarah was way past childbearing years. It made absolutely no sense like nothing ever seen or heard before. And yet he hoped. He hoped against hope! He expected!

Abraham hoped without wavering in unbelief: Abraham hoped over the long haul. The promise and its fulfillment were just about twenty-five years apart! And he hoped without wavering in unbelief, in all those years, says the Bible. Without allowing fears, doubts and worry get a foothold. Yes, he hoped. He hoped against hope! He expected!

Abraham hoped enough to give glory to God: To give glory to God is to agree with Him about what He says about Himself. It is to extol His attributes—His holiness, faithfulness, mercy, grace, love, majesty, sovereignty, power, and omniscience, to name a few. To give glory to God is to obey Him and submit to Him. Abraham, he hoped. He hoped against hope! He expected!

Abraham hoped against all hope. He expected to receive and receive he did indeed!

What is the truth about God or His Word that you are struggling to believe in today? What promise has God given you that seems too ridiculous to even think about, forget believe? Would you choose to hope against all hope, with unwavering belief, and give Him all the glory today?

Expect to receive. To receive, expect!

Heavenly Father, help me in my unbelief. Teach me, Lord, to believe and expect to receive that which You have promised me in Your Word, I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Author

Preethi Alice Jacob

Preethi Jacob is the author of the yearlong devotional At the Potter’s Wheel, Day by Day. Her journey includes teaching a Bible Study Fellowship class, teaching and leading the Sunday School ministry in her church, leading Bible studies, besides counselling young women. She serves on the Global Mission Team of the United Bible Societies and lives in Bangalore, India with her husband and two young adult children.

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