Hope Against Hope

I was writing a scripture the other day and that struck me. It referred to hoping against hope. It’s in Romans 4:18-21. “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.” 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. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”

It’s when things seem impossible but hoping and trusting things will work out because you know God’s is good in all things. When God says he will do something, he does it. Please know that when I say that it means that he follows through. Not on our timelines or in the manners we expect. He is God and we are not and I’m so thankful for that. I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t scare me. Hope and trust require vulnerability and that is terrifying. It means putting yourself or those you love most in the hands of another. Fully believing their best wellbeing is the intent of the beholder. What a beautiful picture of God’s goodness. To know with no doubt that he is good and worthy of that trust and vulnerability is a freeing feeling and reminder that he alone brings perfect peace. God knows we are weak and that we question. When I read this I think of how sweet the reminder that we can rest and hope in him. No unbelief made Abraham waver. What a faith!

The goodness of God is present no matter what. I’ll admit it’s easy to say that when things are swimming along and life is cheery. When things shift and life changes, it’s a hard song to sing and believe. Things become chaotic and life gets hard and my faith starts to shake like a house in an earthquake. Or like someone’s body does when a massage gun is being used on them. You’re welcome for that visual. I know God is good and that his plans are safe, even when they don’t match my expectations but trusting is a challenge. No matter where you are today in your life or walk with Jesus, I know you know you are deeply loved. You are seen. God is working even when you can’t tangibly see or feel it and he will not leave you. I’m praying over you, whoever is reading this, right now as I type. Hold onto Jesus and hope against hope.