Rom. 4:16-18- Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 ¶ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. *The fourth chapter of Romans is a dissertation on faith. It defines… -Substantiation of Faith -v. 3-5 -Satisfaction of Faith -v. 13-16a -Strength of Faith -v. 19-22 -Salvation and Faith -v. 23-25 **In our text we find that against all odds, normal tendencies, scientific method, rational thought, and natural law; Abraham through faith in God’s Word, had hope!
*Having Hope Against All Hope!
-v. 18
*How can this be accomplished? One must… 1. Trust the Providence of God! 2. Trace the Past workings of God! (He’s the same yesterday, today and for evermore!) 3. Treasure the Possibilities of God! 4. Turn from the Pull against God! *the pull of the… Flesh! Facts! Foe!
5. Travail in Prayer for help from God! 6. Taste the honey in the Promises of God! 7. Totally Position yourself in the Will of God!
Dan. 3:16-18- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Friend, no matter the problem, storm, trial, pain, odds of relief; hope in Jesus! He’s a friend that sticketh closer than a brother! –Pastor Doug Foster