"Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, 'So shall your descendants be.'”

Abraham believed the promise. He didn't do anything else. He believed that what God promised, he was going to perform. Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness. Therefore, he received strength.

Faith glorifies God because it brings nothing! It has no righteousness of its own, no strength, and no contribution; it adds nothing to God. It glorifies him by saying, "You'll do it, though I'm unworthy, and I add nothing. You'll do it, because you are good."

This goodness of God in the gospel is revealed for our believing, and then God works, as promised. He imputes righteousness and gives peace. He gives power over sin. He fulfills his word!

Believe, and you will be established. According to your faith, so shall it be!

First, it is "contrary to hope." Bless God. In spite of our vileness, he comes through. In spite of our unworthiness, he's good to us. In spite of our inability, his grace is sufficient! There are NO OBSTACLES, when God has promised. There is no impossibility, when things look impossible. God needs nothing from us.

The drunk can be sobered, the homosexual purified, and the proud bigot made loving. The sin-lover can be forgiven and cleansed. The murderer can turn to preach the gospel, and the greatest hater can be made submissive. God's clearly able to save his elect and gather sinners to himself. He's able to overcome pride, ignorance, and strong delusions. He can deliver the people from lies.

Secondly, Abraham believed! "In, hope believed." He didn't take God's word for granted. He didn't settle for, "It's ompossible!" God PERSUADED him and put the truth into his heart. God convinced him, as he must convince us.

Oh, be ashamed, mere mortal, that we disbelieve God. Oh, how horrendous this is - that we call God a liar, like Satan… that we look at his word, and say, "No." We ought to be wiser than this, but alas, we are but worms, filled with unbelief.

"Oh, that might believe God," the old preacher said. "I believe, Lord, help my unbelief." He'll help us by the faith we do have, though it is small. Let us ask for faith and pray to believe. Let's not offer empty words.

Thirdly, God gave the promise, "So shall your descendants be." He said it, and that settled it!

It is useless to believe in things simply because we want them. Misinterpreting God's word is fatal. Trusting him to deliver from a literal furnace will lead to your burning! Rightly understanding the word, however, we shall have all that he's said! His promises are sure. They are guaranteed absolutes confirmed by his oath. Hebrews 6:18, "so that by two unchangeable things [His word and oath], in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us." He would not promise, if he didn't intend to fulfill it. He has no one to impress, and he cannot lie.

Oh, the faithfulness of God is to be trusted. Trust in him, all you people!