1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34, Romans 4:13-5:5, Psalms 14:1-7, Proverbs 19:17
What God said to me – “In hope against hope” is an idiom that means to remain hopeful in spite of negative circumstances that would seem to have no hope. Abraham, in hope against hope, believed Me when I said I would make him the father of many nations. Physically for Abraham it was an impossibility, but Abraham didn’t waver in unbelief with respect to My promise because he understood that My promise was not based on his ability, but on Mine so he grew in faith as he awaited My fulfillment. Abraham believed Me and it was credited to him as righteousness. This account was recorded in My word, not just for Abraham’s sake, but for yours also so you could see and believe that because of your faith in Me that righteousness is credited to you. Not only are you credited with righteousness by faith, but you are justified by faith and have peace with Me. All of this would be an impossibility based on you, but your hope is not based on anything you did or will do – it is based wholly on Me, and this hope will not disappoint because My love is poured out on you.