Hope : Part 2

As we discuss the meaning and weight of the word hope, consider the following verses from Romans 4. And, as you read, think about what it is that gives Abraham reason for hope.

17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”

19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb.

20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,

21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

Abraham is old. He has no children. Sarah's womb is barren. Does his life experience, or common sense for that matter, give him reason to believe he is to be a father, let alone, "the father of many nations"? Of course not. So then, what is the source of Abraham's hope? Why in the world might he hope against hope?

Verse 19 says that Abraham did not weaken in faith when he considered the things that would seemingly make fatherhood for him an impossibility. He allowed himself to consider the possible roadblocks, which I do as well in times of trouble, or when I'm facing an insurmountable goal. But the difference between Abraham and myself is that his faith was not weakened when he pondered the "difficulties" that lay ahead. Abraham realized something about hope that we rarely do. I'll come back to this shortly.

In my last post, I discussed the use of the word hope in daily conversation. I feel that most of the time we use the word hope, we could choose something better in its place. I wish. I want. I would like. Again, hope is a desire for something to happen, with expectations or confidence that the something will actually happen. So, if it would just be really nice for something to happen, but we have no solid arguments or any real expectations, then another word might better suit the situation. I then gave the example of hoping that the Mavericks win the championship as a technically good use of the word. I listed several reasons for my hopes about their chances. I could list many more. So, I have solid arguments and real expectations, but, in the end, I don't think a basketball championship is something worth "hoping" for. Wishing or wanting? Sure! But the word "hope" should be reserved for weightier things, and things with stronger arguments. This is where we get back to Abraham.

So, what did Abraham realize about hope that most of us rarely do? The source of true hope is a promise which will be kept, no matter what. If you promise me that the Mavericks will win the championship, does that give me hope? I should say not!! You have no power over the situation at hand. And, I have no reason to believe your promise. Man has the ability to be untruthful. Man can break a promise. So by default, we cannot place our hope in anything man says, because there will always be that lingering question of whether or not we can trust the promise of the one attempting to supply our hope.

This is the difference with God. God always keeps his promises. When God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, His very words were enough to supply hope in Abraham. Enough so that when Abraham considered the difficulties ahead, he realized they did not matter. God had spoken. God told him what would happen. He had complete confidence in God. And Abraham did not hope FOR the thing which God promised. Instead, he hoped IN God himself because God had made a promise to him. God's promises are our only source for real hope. We can have complete confidence that what He says will actually happen.

By the way, don't think because of what this portion of Romans 4 says that Abraham was perfect. He made plenty of mistakes. And, he had plenty of faithless moments. This reminds us that hope has nothing to do with us. God made a promise to Abraham. God created hope in Abraham. God kept His promise. And God was and is glorified in this.

So, the next time you are faced with doubts about God's word, or specific words He has spoken to you in prayer or through faithful teachers, just remember that God's promises are always kept. We can doubt the words of man, but God's word, and His promises are immutable, everlasting, and not dependant on us in any way. Let that create hope in your heart, real hope. Wait on God to keep his promises. And glorify the only giver of real hope by sharing that hope with others!

- david