Against all odds, when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promise and expected God to fulfill it. He took God at his word, and as a result he became the father of many nations. God’s declaration over him came to pass: “Your descendants will be so many that they will be impossible to count!” (Rom 4:18, TPT)
Its not very hard for most of us to look around today and to see a major storm approaching
Clouds of disappointment. Winds of change. Mountains of despair. Ruins of war, hurricanes of pestilence and famines. Death. Disease, suffering. Want and deprivation. Many shocking developments. Everywhere.
And yet, there is something else. I first noticed this “something else” in the Bible recently when I was reading in Romans, chapter four. Romans 4:18, in the Weymouth Version reads like this:
Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words “EQUALLY NUMEROUS SHALL YOUR POSTERITY BE.”
In other words, “in agreement with God’s promise!” Verse 18 in this chapter is talking about Abraham who was by this point in time very elderly. Over 100 years old. Sarah his wife’s womb was no longer functioning. The Bible tells us her womb was “dead.” (see Rom 4:19). In verse 20 we are told that “Abraham staggered not at the promise.”
Apparently, Abraham was “fully persuaded that what God had promised; he was able also to perform.” Rom 4:18 is the promise that Abraham would be “the Father of many nations.” Here, we are shown both Abraham and his wife, who appeared by all human standards, to be way too old to have kids. In human terms it would be quite impossible. Verse 19 says “he considered not his own body dead,” when he was about 100 years old, and even, at the idea of Sarah’s “dead” womb, Abraham dared to “hope against hope.” “Under hopeless circumstances, he hopefully believed.
Abraham’s faith seemed to be in perfect sync with the power, and with the constant faithfulness of God. The outward circumstances in which he was placed, and from the human perspective, Abraham did not really have the greatest reasons to expect the literal fulfillment of this amazing promise of God. That he would be “the father of many nations.” Abraham did believe The Word of God, and had looked forward to the time when his seed, (offspring) would be as numerous as the stars in the sky above him.
The Bible says that we are “compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses;” that all of us can “run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Heb 12:1). And so, this witness is our “light in the clouds,” for “this is the day that The Lord has made.” (Psalms 118:24). Today we have so many promises, far more than the one promise Abraham had. Such a great cloud of witnesses. We can rely with confidence in all of God’s Word. Many times it may seem that God delays His help. The evil seems to wax worse. We don’t have to be weak. We may be strong. We may rejoice in our Lord. The most glorious of God’s promises are often fulfilled in such a wondrous manner.
Our Savior steps forth to save us at a time when there is to our human eyes and our human understanding, the least appearance that He is in fact able to do what He has promised. Jesus most often chooses to give us the help we need during our greatest trials that His Hand might more plainly appear in our deliverance. In our experience. This is the method that Christ chooses to give us that we might not trust to our own sight, sound, feelings, etc, but only upon His bare Word, just as it reads, and by which we may depend upon, no matter what state we are in.
When our sight ceases for any reason, then that is the very moment when our faith works the best. “faith is evidence of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1) How can such evidence be anything other than the promises of God? The greater the difficulty, then the easier for faith.”
“His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and Godliness through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and to virtue; whereby are given unto us great and precious promises that by these you may be partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Pet 1;3-4)
Jesus once said “blessed are they who are not offended in me.” (Luke 7:23). As we all know, after these last two years or so, it is sometimes very difficult to NOT be offended in Jesus Christ. The “offense” may be just circumstancial. Finding ourselves in some sort of prison house, a very narrow sphere, a sick room, a very unpopular position; and all of this happening when we had been expecting much wider opportunities.
Does Jesus know whats best for me? of course he does. My current environment, my state of affairs, no matter what is happening to me, is rooted in His very specific determination and His will. Jesus means all things happening to me for the intensification of my faith. To draw me in nearer communion with Himself. To increase my power. (Rom 8:28, Isa 40:29) Jesus means all things for my own best good. Jesus gives power to the faint. Jesus increases strength to those who have no might.
My offense may be mental, Psychological. Haunted by my perplexities. Fearful of the questions I cannot solve. I remember hoping that when I gave my heart to Christ, some years ago, thinking that now my skies would always be clear. But today I see clouds in my sky. Yet Jesus helps me believe how that should those clouds remain, there would still be light in every one of them. That I might learn to trust Jesus more implicitly. To trust Jesus. To not be afraid. That by my own inner conflicts, by my outward troubles, I am trained to tutor other storm-driven people. (2 Cor 7:5-6, 2 Cor 1;3-4). We can thank Jesus today for the Light in our clouds. I praise Jesus for my storms. That the Light might be made more manifest.
Our offense might be more spiritual in nature. We might think that in His faith, as a member of The Church, that we should never again feel the biting winds of temptation, the stinging coldness of not forgiving someone. But all things are best as they are. We are just where we are supposed to be. Always. Like Daniel, “standing in his lot,” we are standing in the right place. At the right time.Our heaven is sweeter at the closing of the darkest day. In the midst of our storm. We will look back at the trials of The Way, and shall sing the heavenly praises of The One who said “peace, be still.” (Mark 4:39) JESUS, the light in our clouds. (Rev 1:7). Let all God’s people say: “Let come whatever will come. His will shall be welcome. We will refuse to be offended in our loving Lord.”
The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger–a faith that will not faint though severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time. Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power of importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God’s promises, as he did, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded. Those who are unwilling to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not obtain it. Wrestling with God–how few know what it is! How few have ever had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch. When waves of despair which no language can express sweep over the suppliant, how few cling with unyielding faith to the promises of God. {GC 621.2}
Those who exercise but little faith now, are in the greatest danger of falling under the power of satanic delusions and the decree to compel the conscience. And even if they endure the test they will be plunged into deeper distress and anguish in the time of trouble, because they have never made it a habit to trust in God. The lessons of faith which they have neglected they will be forced to learn under a terrible pressure of discouragement. {GC 622.1}
We should now acquaint ourselves with God by proving His promises. Angels record every prayer that is earnest and sincere. We should rather dispense with selfish gratifications than neglect communion with God. The deepest poverty, the greatest self-denial, with His approval, is better than riches, honors, ease, and friendship without it. We must take time to pray. {GC 622.2}
Under utterly hopeless circumstances, our pioneers hopefully believed. That is the light in our clouds. Their experience must be ours. Under hopeless circumstances, hopefully believe.