Photo taken by: Graur Codrin courtesy of freedigitalphots.net
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 as 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 power to do what he had promised.
As I’m getting to know more of the Imperfect Wives, I’ve come to a realization.
Not only are we all imperfect, but most of us are holding on to the hope of God’s promises.
For some, it’s a promise of a reconciled marriage. For others, it’s the hope of our spouse to be free from addiction. And for others, it’s the cry of our heart to be our husband’s object of affection.
In some form or another, we are all holding out hope.
As I was curled up in bed yesterday, enjoying the peace and quiet of the early morning, the Lord showed me what real hope looked like. And in the quiet, hope became tangible as I watched it dance across my Bible and leap straight into my heart.
The Word reads, “Against all hope Abraham in hope believed…Without weakening his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead…and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.”
It doesn’t get any more real than that.
Do you realize that after God promised Abraham that he would be the “Father of Nations,” it took TWENTY-FIVE YEARS before he fulfilled his promise.
Some of your hearts just dropped in your stomachs. Twenty-five years? Your spirit cries out to God, “Lord, I can’t!” as tears fall fresh and new.
But my dear sister, I want you, no need you, rather, to see the truth that lives here.
“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being full persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
Do you know why? Why could he hold on, when nothing other than the promise of God, pointed to anything different?
Because Abraham knew this. He is “the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” Romans 4:17
Yesterday they were not. Today they are.
It sounds so simple, but when your heart is crying out, it feels anything but simple.
What does God want from you as you anticipate the fulfillment of His promise to you?
Wait.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10
So I pray that as you wait, you will be still and you will know that He is God.
That you will be ready…as He writes your redemptive story.
Waiting with you,
Barb
A favorite song of mine, while you wait:
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