When Paul said that God “calls those things which do not exist as though they did” (Rom. 4:17), he laid the foundation for all that is involved in hope. Hope enables us to see the invisible. The apostle also said, “Hope that is seen is no longer hope” (Rom. 8:24). We do not walk by sight, but by a faith rooted in what God has promised. Things we are unable to see physically are seen through the eyes of faith as clearly as though they did. This truth is best understood by looking at Abraham’s hope.
God’s promises to Abraham were staggering, but not to Abraham. How was it possible that a man well beyond the age most men have children and a woman whose age gave no hope of ever giving birth would be parents so late in life? Yet, when God promised this would happen, “Abraham staggered not at the promise of God” (Rom. 4:20, KJV).
God’s promises are staggering to most. Atheists mock our faith by saying, “Do not give me my pie in the sky by and by. I want my pie before I die.” The ancients said, “Let us eat, drink for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor. 15:32). This view of life might bring momentary “pleasure,” but the future is filled with hopelessness. His promises are also staggering to those with weak faith, but Abraham’s faith was strong (Rom. 4:19).
God’s staggering promises allow the faithful to ignore external circumstances. In the midst of adversity, many turn their attention to their problems, but this was not the focus of the hope on which Abraham made life’s choices. The Bible said that he did not consider the “facts” and did not waver in unbelief (Rom. 4:19-20). Instead of looking outward, he looked upward. The hope that governed Abraham is the same hope we have when we anchor our faith in Christ.
God’s staggering promises are tied to the nature of God. Abraham knew that what God had promised He was able to perform. Throughout the Bible, the faithfulness of God is affirmed eleven times, but it is implied in every dealing mankind has with Him. God says it, and that settles it! When we embrace His faithfulness our view of life and its problems are drastically changed.
God’s promises have never failed, not even one time. When the Jews had conquered Canaan, the Divine record said, “Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass” (Josh. 21:45). Not even one word! This is why we can anchor our hope in the Lord and trust every single promise He has made. Anchor your faith in Him, and then when you come to the end of your life, you can look back and know that not a single word of all his promises have failed! Anchor your hope in Him!