Keeping Hope Alive?
Henry Omotayo
Keeping Hope Alive? (Romans 4:13-22)
Message No. 0504 | Twitter @GodandUs |
Read Past Messages at: https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/wordforwise
At such unprecedented times as we are, and operating under the highest levels of uncertainty, it is not difficult to throw hope to the winds, and faith, out of the window. Imagine those whose lives have been altered by the outbreak of Coronavirus: those who have lost loved ones and those who relied on those who died as breadwinners; those who may have to drop out of school as there’s now no hope of payment for their school fees; those who are stuck in foreign lands while vital, time-bound, decisions are waiting for them at home; those who have worked all their lives for milestones that were planned for March, or April, or May, 2020; those who have planned so much for their graduation ceremonies, only for the dates to pass without a celebration. How, one may imagine, do these people feel?
At times like this, saying that people should not be discouraged might sound easy and trying to calm nerves might prove abortive. However, what else does a drifting boat have to hold unto other than its anchor? The only team that a troubled aircraft pilot relies on to get to safety are the air traffic controllers. So, at times of unprecedented disappointments as we currently are, the only hope we have is our faith in Christ. If we lose this hope, there isn’t anything else we can hold unto.
At age 75, God promised Abraham he would be a father of many nations. Even at this age, it was hopeless enough to expect a child, given that Sarah, his wife, was already 65 years old. However, God made the impossible even more impossible, by making Abraham to wait 25 more years! When he received the promise, God did not tell him the time it would be fulfilled. Abraham probably thought that in the next 9 months, the impossible would happen. Imagine how Abraham would have felt when, 5 years later, there was no child. Conventional reaction would be that of anxiety and discouragement, and we could see traits of that in Abraham and Sarah, but fundamentally, Abraham remained committed to believing God. In Romans 4:18-22, the Bible summarizes Abraham’s handling of the situation:
Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Recalling the story of Job, the Bible says he was so attacked that he lost children and property; his life was ruined to a situation where his wife actually advised him to curse God and die, as she reckoned it was too agonizing to continue living. However, knowing the God that he served, Job refused to take such advice, rather, he held to his Anchor, saying “I know my Redeemer lives.” Just like Abraham, Job kept hope alive and, in the end, the God who does not disappoint never disappointed him.
When Lazarus died, both Mary and Martha, his sisters, had lost every hope of life for him. Who wouldn’t? Jesus did not come in time to heal Lazarus and that was disappointing to the sisters. So, when Jesus, in John 11:23, told Martha “Your brother will rise again,” Martha must have shrugged in disappointment, believing that she would only see her brother on the resurrection day. But the God who is never late proved to Martha that even death is no match to His ability to fulfil promises. Lazarus was raised from the dead after four days in the grave.
So, in the midst of this disruptive period, I have good news for you: God is never late. There’s no amount of delays that can stop the fulfilment of His promises. Please keep hope alive and do not succumb to the tactics and deception of the enemy. With Christ in the Driver’s seat, you will achieve that goal, you will attain the milestone, you will finish your education, you will have a new job, your business will rise again. Though you may not be able to see it now, I pray that this delay will count to you as blessing, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen. Have a blessed week!
PLEASE ACT NOW:
If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
To leave a comment for this message, read older messages or share via social media:
1. Please push the ‘Reply’ button to email your comments and visit https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/wordforwise to read previous messages and share with friends and family.
2. To add new readers, please email their names and email addresses to he...@henryomotayo.com
3. To unsubscribe, please email “Unsubscribe” to he...@henryomotayo.com