Read: Romans 4:13-25

“In hope he [Abraham] believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations; as he had been told, ‘So shall your descendants be’… That is why his faith was ‘reckoned to him as righteousness.’” -Romans 4:18

I am admittedly rolling my eyes at Abraham being this huge example of trust because he and Sarah gave her servant Hagar to him for him to impregnate instead of waiting for Sarah to conceive. Being the origin of the Ishmaelites through Hagar’s son Ishmael in addition to the Israelites through Sarah does make him the father of multiple nations, but it was probably not the way God intended it to happen. Did God work through Sarah’s womb and allow her to bear Issac? Yes, but shouldn’t Abraham have waited patiently for that to happen? Maybe. Not having a direct heir would have been a scary thing for him because of the idea of his line ending with him, and I can understand trying to hedge his bets a bit.

While he did try to hedge his bets by having the child with Hagar, he *DID* at least trust in his abilities to get *SOMEONE* pregnant and didn’t laugh at the angels as Sarah did. I think he trusted that God was going to provide him an heir, but he was fuzzy on the details. Unfortunately, I do the same thing. What gives me hope in this passage is that Abraham had a level of skepticism as I often do, and he is still held up as a great example of faith. There is hope for me yet.

Help us to trust in your providence, O God, even when we aren’t entirely sure how things will work. Amen.
-Jen McCabe

Read: Romans 4:13-25

“Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.” – Romans 4:16

Wow! I wonder how my Grandfather, a Pentecostal preacher, would have dealt with this passage. Since we lived half a continent apart, I only heard him preach a few times, and Jonathan Edwards’ sermon title, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” summarizes my recollection of his message. He often quoted John 14:6, “I am THE WAY and the truth and the life. NO ONE comes to the Father except through me.” It was THE WAY – and no other.

I grew up hearing and believing that message in a Christian home, and, mostly, a Christian small town. But Paul’s message in Romans tells a different story: Grace is guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring, including Greeks, and by extension Gentiles…”He is the Father of us all.” Hmmm…. Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, tribal cultures, those who are spiritual, but not religious? It sounds like Paul is saying that the answer is “YES,” if we have faith in God. Interactions with many people of various cultures and beliefs over the years have helped redefine my belief system. Many differences define our faith journeys, but our commonality far outweighs these differences.

So, Grandpa, you were right as far as your faith allowed you to go, and you were right in terms of my recognition of Jesus as the way for me. And I will continue to connect with my other brothers and sisters who are Abraham’s children as well!

Dear God, grant us your wisdom and understanding to seek to know ALL of your children and their faith journeys. Amen.
-Cathey Frederick

Read: Romans 4:13-25

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed. . .” – Romans 4:18

How many times in our lives have we faced trials and tribulations for which we have little or no hope? Once? Twice? More?

For me, many times.

For many years in my first marriage, I pleaded with the Lord: When will this abuse/addiction/adultery ever end? Do I forgive and forgive and forgive again? For how long? And at what cost? Until there is nothing left of me, or at least nothing recognizable?

Or do I risk a new life?

With little more than a pocketful of faith, I left my 28-year marriage with the clothes on my back and a few mementos, walking into the unknown.

Slowly, through prayer and counsel and reflection and time, I rose to the surface anew, raised to life again from the proverbial dead.

Did I do this alone? By no means! There were sisters, friends, and even strangers. Late night phone calls and time alone in nature. Tears and more tears before a hint of a smile (the laughter came later). And through it all, Christ.

“Without weakening his faith,” Abraham believed. Let it be so for all of us as we face insurmountable odds. May we be strengthened in our faith through our inevitable trials and tribulations—and give all the glory to God for seeing us through.

Dear Lord, in the midst of our troubled lives, thank you for shouldering our burdens. Soli Deo Gloria. Amen.
-Ashley E. Sweeney

Read: 1 Peter 3:18-22

“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit…” –1 Peter 3:18

The question that I have asked all of my reflection writers is “Where do you find hope in this passage?” I find hope in these words written by the author of 1 Peter to persecuted churches in Asia Minor, an area of modern-day Turkey. I’m a convert, so I appreciate these words to churches full of converts to Christianity.

Unlike some claims of evangelical Christians in the USA, these churches were facing active persecution where they faced loss of family, livelihood, and frequently their lives. The Roman emperor Nero blamed the Great Fire of Rome on Christians, according to the Roman historian Tacitus, and had Christians burned alive for it. These churches were living in scary times, and the reminder that Christ died for them to bring them to God would have given them a measure of hope. They would have known well how violent and horrible crucifixion was, and someone voluntarily suffering it on their behalf would have been a compelling act of love. Almost 2,000 years later, that act of love serves to bring me closer to God.

Thank you Jesus for suffering once for my sins. Amen.
-Jen McCabe