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When All Hope Is Lost, Believe God’s Promises - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - September 20, 2023

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When All Hope Is Lost, Believe God’s Promises
By Rick Warren

“While God was testing him, Abraham still trusted in God and his promises, and so he offered up his son Isaac and was ready to slay him on the altar of sacrifice; yes, to slay even Isaac, through whom God had promised to give Abraham a whole nation of descendants!” Hebrews 11:17-18 (TLB)

Have you ever felt your hope die?

You can know hope is dying when you hear yourself say the word “never”: “I’ll never get married. I’ll never get that job. I’ll never have children.”

You’re certainly not alone. One of the greatest heroes of faith in the Bible, Abraham, felt like that.

Romans 4:18 tells us, “Abraham, when hope was dead within him, went on hoping in faith, believing that he would become ‘the father of many nations.’ He relied on the word of God which definitely referred to ‘your descendants’” (Phillips).

What do you do when hope dies and you’re ready to give up? You rely on what God has promised. Where do you turn when everything in you feels like doubting God? You turn to God’s Word. 

To become a person of faith, you need God’s Word in you.

Notice the Bible says that Abraham “relied on God’s Word.” Nothing is more reliable than God’s Word!

Even when Abraham faced his biggest test—God asking him to sacrifice his son—he relied on God’s promises.

“While God was testing him, Abraham still trusted in God and his promises, and so he offered up his son Isaac and was ready to slay him on the altar of sacrifice; yes, to slay even Isaac, through whom God had promised to give Abraham a whole nation of descendants!” (Hebrews 11:17-18 TLB).

After Abraham and Sarah waited years for a child, God gave them Isaac. And then God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. 

Abraham didn’t panic. The Bible shows three ways Abraham responded in faith: 

  • Abraham believed God could raise his son from the dead (Hebrews 11:19).
  • Abraham told his servant, “We’ll be back,” not, “I’ll be back” as he and Isaac headed up the hill for the sacrifice (Genesis 22:5).
  • When Isaac asked Abraham, “Where is the lamb we will sacrifice?” Abraham answered, “The Lord will provide” (Genesis 22:8).

Abraham believed the promises of God. He knew God would either spare his son or resurrect him.

When all hope seems lost, put your hope in God. “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:5 NLT).

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Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise

Be Encouraged Each Day to Live Out God’s Purposes

As thanks for your gift below to help share the gospel with more people around the world through Daily Hope, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s new book, Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise.

Each devotional starts out with a Bible verse, followed by teaching that explains God’s Word and shows you how to apply it daily so you can face any challenge and live the life you were created to live.

As a special bonus when you give, we’ll also send you What's Driving Your Life?: A 10-Day Turnaround for a Fresh Start. Featuring 10 hand-picked devotions from Pastor Rick’s new book, they’ll guide anyone feeling stressed, worried, or discouraged toward seeking God for a fresh start.

Request your copy below when you give—and take the first step towards a year of real purpose, lasting peace, and unfailing promises.

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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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