Uncertain TimesSample

Hopeless Hope

You may remember the Chilean mining accident of 2010, where a terrible cave-in left 33 mineworkers trapped 700 meters underground.

An international rescue effort went into high gear, and 69 days later, the last of the men were saved, generally healthy, and set for a full recovery.

As the men shared their story, they made clear what had gotten them through the ordeal:

Hope.

Hope that they would see their loved ones again, hope that they would see sunlight again, hope that the brilliant minds trying to save them would find a way. They encouraged one another in low moments. They prayed. They kept their spirits up.

They hoped.

Hope is a gift of God, but it is also something we work at on our end. In today’s passage, we see the hope of Abraham’s story.

God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:3-7), but at age 75, Abraham had exactly zero kids.

The situation wouldn’t improve much over the next 25 years. As he hit 100, Abraham was still waiting for his promise in a thoroughly hopeless state.

That’s why I love the beginning of today’s passage:

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…” (Romans 4:18, emphasis added).

100-year-old couples don’t have babies. It’s physically impossible. Menopause has long since passed, and sperm counts have long since plummeted.

It wasn’t just doubtful that Abraham and Sarah would conceive; it was ridiculous.

It was hopeless. There was literally no hope that it could happen.

But against all hope, Abraham in hope believed, “being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised” (Romans 4:21, emphasis added).

What did Abraham do when he had no hope?

He hoped nonetheless.

He drew upon all his faith, all his knowledge of God, and all of his experience with Him and found a way to cling to hope, even in the middle of hopelessness.

And he received what he was waiting for (Genesis 21:1-7).

Abraham’s example is one that men should follow. Our path is not the path of doubt and despair but of faith and hope—trusting that God is good and that God has more than enough power to sustain us, no matter what we face.

In uncertain times, against all hope, there is still one very good reason to hope:

The God of all hope rules from His throne, and so we put our hope in Him.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Abraham’s example and all you did for him. May I also be a man who always hopes and trusts You, and may You strengthen me while I wait on You. Amen.

Reflection: What is your favorite Bible story of hope fulfilled? Go and read it today!