SCRIPTURE:
Romans 4:18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping-believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”

DEVOTIONAL:
This verse tells us about Abraham, who had been given a promise by God that he would be the father of many nations. He was old, and his wife was old, which means the odds were really stacked against them. But Abraham clung to this promise of God, and stood firm in his faith that this promise would be fulfilled. I see a tenacity in Abraham that says, “Surely the Lord would not lie to me. Surely He will come through and bring this promise to life.” Even when you can’t see a way for God to come through, you can choose to cling to the promises of God. Even when you see no reason to keep hoping, you can choose to hope in God to come through for you.

PRAYER:
God, I have received promises from You that I want to cling to. Give me a new spiritual tenacity to hold onto the words You have spoken to me. Let me not forfeit my hope because my physical eyes are not seeing what I expect to see, but help me hold onto the hope that I can only find in holding onto Your words. Help me be like Abraham and trust that You would not lie to me, that You will come through and bring about what You have promised. Help me not lose heart if the promises are fulfilled differently than I have imagined, or if it takes longer for me to see the promises come to pass. Help me continue to believe in You and all You have said.

READING PLAN:

• Romans 9
• Romans 10
• Romans 11
• Romans 12
• Romans 13
• Romans 14
• Romans 15
• Romans 16
• 1 Corinthians 1
• 1 Corinthians 2
• 1 Corinthians 3
• 1 Corinthians 4