If there is no hope, then the heart is sad. If the thing you wish for happens, then you are filled with joy.
Romans 4:18 - Easy To Read Version There was no hope \{that Abraham {\cf2\super [45]} would have children\}. But Abraham believed God and continued hoping. And that is why he became the father of many nations. Like God told him, “You will have many descendants (children).” {\cf2\super [46]} Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition [For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So [numberless] shall your descendants be. [Gen. 15:5.] American Standard Version (1901) Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be. Common English Bible When it was beyond hope, he had faith in the hope that he would become the father of many nations, in keeping with the promise God spoke to him: “That’s how many descendants you will have.” Catholic Public Domain Version And he believed, with a hope beyond hope, so that he might become the father of many nations, according to what was said to him: "Thus shall your posterity shall be." Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Who against hope believed in hope; that he might be made the father of many nations, according to that which was said to him: So shall thy seed be. |
If there is no hope, then the heart is sad. If the thing you wish for happens, then you are filled with joy.
Then the Lord my Master said to me, “Son of man, {\cf2\super [291]} these bones are like the whole family of Israel. The people of Israel say, ‘Our bones have dried up, {\cf2\super [292]} our hope is gone. We have been completely destroyed!’
Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I know that what you say is true? I am an old man, and my wife is also old.”
So men, be happy! I trust in God. Everything will happen like his angel told me.
Like it is written \{in the Scriptures {\cf2\super [43]} \} “I have made you (Abraham) a father of many nations.” {\cf2\super [44]} This is true before God. Abraham believed in God—the God who gives life to dead people and decides that things will happen that have not yet happened.
Abraham was almost 100 years old, so his body was much past the age for having children. Also, Sarah could not have children. Abraham thought about this. But his faith in God did not become weak.
And this hope will never disappoint us—\{it will never fail\}. Why? Because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. God gave us his love through the Holy Spirit. {\cf2\super [48]} That Holy Spirit was a gift to us from God.
We were saved, and we have this hope. If we can see what we are waiting for, then that is not really hope. People don’t hope for something they already have.
We have this hope. And it is like an anchor. It is strong and sure and keeps us safe. It goes behind the curtain {\cf2\super [51]} \{in the heavenly temple\}.