|
|
sponsored
by:
Monday, February 20, 2012 |
Hoping against hope
Send a link to a friend
-"Hoping against hope, (Abraham) believed that
he would become ‘the father of many nations’, according to what was said,
‘So numerous shall your descendants be.’ He did not weaken in faith when he
considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about
a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong
in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was
able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith ‘was reckoned to him as
righteousness.’"
-Romans 4: 18-22
|
Let me be clear about this,
faith is hard work. As Paul reflects on the faith
of Abraham, the spiritual forefather of us all, he
notes near the end of that reflection the tenacity
of Abraham's faith. He says things like, "hoping
against hope," and "he did not weaken," and "no
distrust made him waver." Paul's point is that
amidst all the vicissitudes of life and the
challenges of belief and the audacity of God's
promises, Abraham's faith remained strong and
steadfast. And let me tell you, this strength is
not easy.
It is not easy to believe God loves you when you are
having a terrible day, but it's true. It's not easy
to believe in the resurrection when you are mourning
a loved one, but you must. It's not easy to believe
you have been forgiven as you consider your latest
defeat in the battle with sin, but you are. The
promises of God are for you, and they exist in your
life, and it is your faith which allows you to draw
strength and hope from those promises. Sometimes
that faith is weak and shaky and feels as though it
is barely there, and it is in those moments when we
all must remember our forefather Abraham and we
should not waver. Put all of yourself into your
faith and your life will be changed.
Prayer: Holy God, please renew my faith today. Help
me to seek you and to follow you. I want to hear
your promises and know that they are true for me. I
pray in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
|
[Phillip Blackburn, First Presbyterian Church] |
|
<
Recent articles |
Back to top |
News |
Sports | Business |
Rural Review |
Teaching & Learning
|
Home and Family |
Tourism
| Obituaries
Community |
Perspectives
|
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
|
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Calendar
|
Letters to the Editor
|
|
|
|
|