“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 a 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 the power to do what He promised.”
(Romans 4:18-21 NIV)
The world feels pretty heavy these days, doesn’t it? The socio-political atmosphere resembles the air right before a summer thunderstorm; oppressive, close, foreboding. We can feel the pressure in our teeth, can’t we? It seems everyone is angry and expecting the worst.
My friend in Tennessee sent me this verse early this morning; her text bubble lighting up my bedroom before I was really awake. As I stumbled to the coffee pot; Apostle Paul’s words blew in over my soul, a pocket of cool air escape from barometric pressure of our culture.
“Even when there was no reason to hope, Abraham kept hoping… and Abraham’s faith did not weaken.” (Romans 4:18,19 NLT)
Apostle Paul wrote these words about the great grandfather of our faith. Abraham was believing for a nation from his own loins and a land to occupy. These weren’t pipe dreams in an old man’s heart, but powerful promises God had given him far earlier in his story. And though his body was as good as dead, Abraham somehow still believed. He wasn’t ignorant of the facts, Abraham chose to believe despite the piled up evidence against him.
Yesterday, my husband and I were talking about the upcoming election and the low morale of our nation right now. We were were both reminded – this world is not our home and a presidential candidate is not our our hope or our source. We must reaffix our eyes on forever. We cannot let hope be extinguished. The God of Abraham is the God of Rob and Anna Thoreson; He is able and He is faithful. His promises will stand the test of time. Though this world is as good as dead; heaving with the weight of sin, all our hope is still in Christ’s return and His ability to redeem all things. Far more than any political party or ideology, we align ourselves with the Kingdom of God. Against all hope, we keep hoping.
“Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let Your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in You.” (Psalm 33:20-22 ESV)
The old chorus drifts into my heart; an audacious anthem in the midst of 2020. “He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice for He has made me glad.” Hope and gladness will stand out in today’s culture: so many are sad, angry, and given over to despair in a very tough year. But remember, beloved, we have hope and hope does not disappoint. Our hope is big enough and bright enough to give way to joy. And the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Dear Lord, please stoke our hope today. It is in the darkest of night that hope shines the brightest. Let us be like Abraham, still hoping despite current conditions. Let our hope light the way Home for us and others, let it be contagious and give way to gladness. We have our hearts set on another land. Amen.
**PS: I hope you have people who text you scriptures in the early hours of the day. <3