Ancient Story Restores Hope

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 (NIV)

As I reviewed the story of Abraham, my sagging hope (at ever finding a job) has been renewed. I saw how God's plan was fulfilled to His glory despite Abraham's problem with fear or the impossibility of old worn out bodies conceiving a child.

I found much hope when I read that Abraham gave into fear twice as he stands behind Sarah claiming her as his sister and not his wife. The first time Abraham and his crowd were given a military escort out of Egypt (Genesis 12:20 NLT). Lesson learned, right? I guess enough time had passed that Abraham once again gave into this same fear this time with Abimelech, king of Gerar (Geneses 20). However, God turned this situation around for good and His glory. God kept Abimelech from ever touching Sarah and Abimelech listened and obeyed God's warnings to give Sarah back to Abraham. The interesting part of this story is that God told Abimelech to ask prophet Abraham to pray for healing from his household's curse of infertility. That amazes me how God still used Abraham even though he gave into fear a second time. It gives me hope that although I may not do everything perfectly, God is still working out a plan for my life that will ultimately bring Him the glory because I have been declared righteous through my faith in Christ just as Abraham.

Faith in God does require action on our part. To this end Sarah thought she needed to exercise the custom of the day by giving her servant Hagar to Abraham to conceive the child of promise. Conception happened but with it came lots of heartache for Sarah, Hagar and Abraham and it was not the child God had promised. God did not snatch his promise back although it meant a fourteen-year wait. When an angel tells Sarah that she will bear a child within the year, Sarah laughs at the idea of a baby in her old age with Abraham ten years older as well. The angel responded, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14). Another example that brings hope as it highlights God's faithfulness despite any faithless circumstance I might create because I just can't exercise enough patience to wait for God's perfect plan.

My hope was revived yet again as I reflected on the impossibility of two old people with bodies well past their prime of life conceiving a child and living to see him well into adulthood. Like the Bible verse says, Abraham believed in the hope of God’s power and authority, against any hope he might find in his situation or circumstances. God is the God of the impossible. Just as God extended life to this old couple, I have hope that He will extend life to me in the form of a job where I can serve to the glory of God.

CHALLENGE

Read Abraham’s story and let God’s Word bring you hope for your situation. The story is recorded in Genesis chapters 11-25.

Name your impossible situation and WAIT to see what God will do on your behalf.  


“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” … Genesis 18:14.