Faith Beyond Hope: Embracing God's Power in Challenges

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Beyond Visible Hope

Faith is not anchored in what is visible or logical but in the promises of God. Abraham's story exemplifies this truth, as he believed in God's promise to make him the father of many nations despite his and Sarah's old age. This faith was not based on any visible evidence but on the assurance of God's word. True faith often requires us to trust beyond our understanding, to believe in what God has spoken even when circumstances seem to contradict it. This kind of faith is transformative, leading to the fulfillment of God's promises in our lives. [20:02]

Hebrews 11:11-12 (ESV): "By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore."

Reflection: What is one promise from God that you find difficult to believe in your current circumstances? How can you begin to trust in His promise today, even if you can't see how it will come to pass?

Day 2: God's Power Over Circumstances

God's power is not limited by human understanding or natural laws. Just as He brought life to Abraham and Sarah's seemingly impossible situation, He can bring life to our own dead circumstances. Our understanding of biology, logic, or probability does not confine God's ability to act. When we face challenges that seem insurmountable, we must remember that God's power is greater than any obstacle. He is capable of doing the impossible, and our faith in His power can lead to miraculous outcomes. [19:24]

Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV): "Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you."

Reflection: Identify a situation in your life that feels impossible. How can you invite God into this situation and trust in His power to bring about change?

Day 3: The Response of Faith

When God reveals Himself and His promises, our response should be one of faith. Abraham's belief against hope led to him becoming the father of many nations. This teaches us that our faith response is crucial in realizing God's promises in our lives. Faith is not passive; it requires action and trust in God's word. By responding in faith, we align ourselves with God's will and open the door for His promises to manifest in our lives. [20:58]

James 2:22-23 (ESV): "You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness'—and he was called a friend of God."

Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today in response to what God has revealed to you? How can this step bring you closer to His promises?

Day 4: Two Possibilities in Every Situation

In every circumstance, we have the choice to focus on the difficulty or on God's strength. Abraham chose to focus on God's promises rather than the apparent impossibility of his situation. This choice is crucial for us as well. By focusing on God's power and faithfulness, we can navigate challenges with hope and confidence. Our perspective can either limit us or empower us to see God's hand at work in our lives. [22:06]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you shift your focus from the difficulty to God's strength and promises today?

Day 5: The Importance of Belief

Belief is the foundation of becoming what God has promised. Without belief, there is no transformation or fulfillment of God's promises. Abraham's story shows us that belief is essential for becoming what God has spoken over our lives. Our belief in God's word and His promises is the catalyst for change and growth. It is through belief that we align ourselves with God's purpose and experience the fullness of His plans for us. [21:14]

Mark 9:23-24 (ESV): "And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'"

Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle with unbelief? How can you ask God to help you strengthen your belief and trust in His promises today?

Sermon Summary

In life, we often find ourselves in situations where we feel overwhelmed by challenges and circumstances that seem insurmountable. It's easy to tell God, "No, this isn't going to happen," and to feel like giving up. However, it's crucial to remember that God is powerful and capable of giving life to what seems dead and calling into existence things that do not exist. Just as God gave life to Abraham and Sarah, despite their old age and seemingly impossible circumstances, He can work miracles in our lives too.

Abraham's story is a testament to the power of faith. Despite having no reason to hope, Abraham believed in hope and became the father of many nations. This teaches us that faith is not dependent on visible hope but is a belief in God's promises, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. Faith is the key to becoming what God has promised us. Without faith, there is no becoming.

In every situation, we have two choices: to focus on the difficulty of our circumstances or to focus on the strength of the Almighty. Abraham chose to focus on God's strength and promises rather than the apparent impossibility of his situation. This choice is crucial for us as well. By focusing on God's power and faithfulness, we can overcome any challenge and see His promises fulfilled in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith Beyond Hope: Abraham's faith was not based on visible hope but on God's promises. Even when there was no reason to hope, he believed, and his faith led to the fulfillment of God's promise. This teaches us that true faith often requires believing beyond what we can see or understand. [20:02]
2. God's Power Over Circumstances: God is capable of doing what seems impossible. Just as He gave life to Abraham and Sarah, He can bring life to our seemingly dead situations. Our understanding of biology or logic does not limit God's power. [19:24]
3. The Response of Faith: When God reveals Himself, our response should be one of faith. Abraham's belief against hope led to him becoming the father of many nations. Our faith response can lead to the realization of God's promises in our lives. [20:58]
4. Two Possibilities in Every Situation: In every circumstance, we can either focus on the difficulty or on God's strength. Choosing to focus on God's power allows us to navigate challenges with hope and confidence. [22:06]
5. The Importance of Belief: Belief is the foundation of becoming. Without belief, there is no transformation or fulfillment of God's promises. Abraham's story shows us that belief is essential for becoming what God has spoken over our lives. [21:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:39] - The Struggle with Despair
[18:32] - God's Power to Give Life
[19:06] - Abraham's Unlikely Promise
[19:52] - The Response of Faith
[20:16] - Believing Beyond Hope
[20:45] - Faith Leads to Becoming
[21:27] - Strength in Faith
[21:54] - Two Possibilities in Challenges
[22:30] - Choosing God's Strength
[22:44] - Conclusion

Sermon Clips

the challenges may come but they came to meet you and they will go back and leave you because our god is strong he is powerful so he gives life to the dead and caused those things which do not exist as though they did he gave life he was able to give life to abraham [00:18:35]

god is able to work these things out by his power so he said abram though you are dead i give life to your body sarado you don't have a womb and you are past the time of childbearing you will have a child and you will be a mother of nations god may be saying that to you today [00:19:24]

and so this was the response when god has revealed himself to us there is a response that we give him and that response is the response of faith and abraham believed he says who contrary to hope in hope believed amen so that he became the father of many nations [00:19:52]

so where there was no hope where there seemed to be no hope abraham believed in hope have you ever reached a point in your life where you are like i believe that i have hope that even hope itself you have to receive it by faith you know the reason we believe sometimes [00:20:16]

that circumstances will change is because we seek a glimpse of hope and also but in abraham's case there was no glimpse of hope he had to activate faith such that that faith will go beyond the faith that sees hope it says contrary to hope abraham in hope believed [00:20:45]

and when he believed what happened he became hallelujah it is only when you believe that you can become if you do not believe there is no becoming for you abraham believed against hope in hope and so became the father of many nations according to what was spoken [00:20:58]

why should you be strong in faith because the one who promised is powerful and faithful let's read the other verses and then we will go to the air so shall your descendants be that's what was written and not being weak in faith hello you must not be weak [00:21:14]

in every situation in every circumstance there are two possibilities there are two possible things that you can consider you can either consider the difficulty of the circumstance or you consider the strength of the almighty in that circumstance please follow me carefully [00:21:54]

i said in every circumstance there are how many possibilities two not so it's either you consider the difficulty of that circumstance that is you begin to look at the circumstances considering the circumstances would now determine how you work how you continue your life [00:22:06]

if you think for for those people there are many people who have thought of investing something all right you thought of starting work on a certain farm and then you consider the circumstances some of you thought of planting hello when women [00:22:30]

and god is able to work these things out by his power so he said abram though you are dead i give life to your body sarado you don't have a womb and you are past the time of childbearing you will have a child and you will be a mother of nations [00:19:24]

and so this was the response when god has revealed himself to us there is a response that we give him and that response is the response of faith and abraham believed he says who contrary to hope in hope believed amen so that he became the father of many nations [00:19:52]

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