“Abraham,
when hope was dead within him, went on hoping in faith …. He relied on the word
of God.”
Romans 4:18 Phillips
"We lie to God in prayer if we do not rely on him afterwards"
ROBERT LEIGHTON.
"We lie to God in prayer if we do not rely on him afterwards"
ROBERT LEIGHTON.
How do you
know when hope has died in your life? You start using the word “never.” I’m
never going to get married. I’m never going to graduate. I’m never going to get
well. I’m never going to get out of debt. I’m never going to be able to let go
of my past and forget all of that shame and heartache. I’m never going to be
able to change. I’m never going to see this situation turn around. That’s when
hope has died.
What do you
do when your hope dies? Romans 4:18 says, “Abraham, when hope was dead within
him, went on hoping in faith …. He relied on the word of God” (Phillips).
When you are
at a dead-end, you need the Bible. Read it. Study it. Memorize it. Think about
it. Write it down on little notecards, and go over it. The Bible is full of
promises. You rely on the Word and trust in its promises, and it will revive
you emotionally. Nothing else is going to encourage you like the Bible. When
you rely on the Word of God, you don’t panic because you’re reminded that, even
though something is out of your control, it’s not out of God’s control.
A dead-end is
a test of your faith. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:17, “While God was testing
him, Abraham still trusted in God and his promises, and so he offered up his
son Isaac” (TLB). God said he wanted Abraham to sacrifice his son, and Abraham
didn’t blink an eye. He didn’t panic because he remembered what God could do,
and he relied on what God had promised him.
What happens
when God takes your most precious dream and wants you to give it up? Can you do
that in faith? You’re at a dead-end, and God’s going to deliver you if you give
the right answer.
Some of you
are at a dead-end now, and it seems there is no way out. But things are never
as bleak as they seem. You’re looking at it from the human viewpoint rather
than from God’s viewpoint.
Romans 4:20
says, “Abraham never doubted. He believed God, for his faith and trust grew
ever stronger, and he praised God for this blessing even before it happened.”
A promise is
only as good as the character of the person who makes the promise. The Bible
says God cannot lie because he is complete truth. If he makes a promise to you,
he’s going to fulfill it. It will happen exactly as he has said. When you’re at
your dead-end, trust in that truth.
Source: rickwarren.org
Source: rickwarren.org
