We will be in the book of Romans for the next sixteen Sundays. By then you will embrace Paul’s love of run-on sentences. My suggestion would be to read a chapter per week and take your time going through what is sometimes called the 5th Gospel. Interesting that it was written by the Apostle Paul prior to the Gospels being written. Whereas Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John focus on deep stories about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, the book of Romans uses deep sentences.

The phrase Hoping against hope comes from Romans 4:18 and has been used as an expression used widely since 1813 to describe a situation that gives no reason for hope to exist, and yet someone does hope. It says that when there is no justification for hope, there is still someone fully convinced that God will do what he has promised

How do we hope against hope?

1) Focus on God's promises not our problem.
2) Acknowledge the role of God's power and our role.
3) Get on God's side through faith.