Against All Hope

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him.” (Romans 4:18)

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed.  What he believed was God’s promise that he would be the father of many nations.  He believed against all hope, but he was not naïve.  “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 4:19-21)

Against all hope, I in hope believe.  What I believe is one of God’s very first promises:

Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood.  And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. (Genesis 8:21b)

When we look at images from Japan, how can we feel anything other than hopelessness?  I cannot fathom the emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical pain being experienced by those in Japan.  The mere idea brings me to tears, and I’m on the other side of the world.  We must grieve.  We must face the realities of what has happened, knowing it will take years for all of the realities of this situation to be realized.  We must weep for the massive loss of life.  We must give and pray.  We must hope.  We must believe.

Against all hope, we in hope believe.  I believe in a God who is love.  I believe a God who made a covenant (i.e. promise) with Noah long ago.  I believe He will keep his end of the covenant…even in the face of hopelessness. 

Against all hope, I in hope believe.