Hope Against Hope

Hope against hope. What does that mean? Does it means hoping when there is nothing to base the hope upon? At first glance that might be what it would appear to be but it isn't exactly. Hoping when there is nothing to base the hope on - that is foolish. It is called false expectations. It is called ridiculous. It is called naive.
But...

If Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen is the premier definition of faith (and it is) then Abraham is the textbook illustration of faith.

Romans 4:17-22  ¶ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. {before him: or, like unto him} 18 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. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (italics and underscore mine.)

Abraham was an old man and Sarah was an old woman and they had no children. God made Abraham a promise in Gen: 15:5 that his seed would be as numerous as the stars of the heavens. There is no credible explanation as to why Abraham should believe such a promise. Except he believed in God and he believed that God somehow - someway could and would do what he promised he would do. It was a simplistic belief that the God who in the beginning created something from nothing was limitless in his ability to anything. Yes. anything. Even cause him in his old age to produce seed. That is amazing faith. That is hope against hope.

All Christians should have that kind of faith. Even if the world sees no reason for our faith it is not baseless. The God who created everything from nothing is able and will do anything and everything he has promised. But like his disciples we are weak in faith at times but we all have faith:

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

We just need to grow our faith and he has told us how to do that as well.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Read the Word - it will build your faith. Give you hope against hope.