Wait! One more thing...power and hope--what?!

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/2a05bda7/wait-one-more-thing-power-and-hope-what

When I am in a conversation with someone and we get interrupted, a tiny part of me is left there, in that place, with what was unsaid, not yet discussed... so too when I am writing, perhaps my Morning Briefing finished and sent, but something nags at me - more should be said on the matter. This is one of those times.

Why use the title, "Two promises that give me powerful hope"? https://conta.cc/4cNucdl

Clearly, this is in reference to the promises of God, which are conceived from the character of God. When God makes promises, he keeps them--because he is faithful. Why, just think of the many specific Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, realized in one Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God, Repurposer of graves!

The shepherd poet, David, referenced two promises of God--one for this life and the other for eternity.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever!1

I said those promises should cause us to have "powerful hope." hmmm... step a little closer.

What is hope?

Merriam Webster: to cherish a desire with anticipation : to want something to happen or be true

Whereas Biblical hope is a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future. There is moral certainty in it2  because it rests on God.

Well, if indeed our loving God is both good and merciful to us, and if after this life, we will be with him forever, that gives us great hope for each day. Notice that we are speaking of the truth of the character of God, how he loves and provides for us, now and forever. There is no HOPE--no confident expectation for future good--without a basis in ABSOLUTE TRUTH; otherwise it is just a wish -- and flimsy at best.

But why in the world did I use the 'descriptor' powerful in regard to HOPE? hmmm... let's see.

True hope comes from God. David said it well in Psalm 62:

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.3

Therefore HOPE IS POWERFUL! Don't you see??

True confessions - while my mind is fully convinced of the hope that is mine in God, like you, my feet are on terra firma...so how do I navigate, maintaining godly expectant hope when I have been rocked to my very core?

-->Remember in the darkness what I knew to be true in the daylight.

I choose to remember

-->that because I am a child of God, God loves me and he is faithful in the things he has promised. His heart toward me is always GOOD.

-->that having memorized Psalm 100 as a little girl, these words spring to my mind: -->for the Lord is good and his kindness endures to all generations.  Yes.  Amen!  

-->that “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning.  Great is your faithfulness…The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”4 

Read. it. again.

I also remember:

-->Whatever is occurring in my life has not caught God off guard.

How do I know that?  Because God never slumbers nor sleeps!5  

-->I have the privilege of turning to God for guidance and I can entrust all of myself to Him

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; don’t just trust your own thinking.6 

Ask God for wisdom and he will give it to you.7    

-->Take one day at a time

Jesus said: Do not worry about tomorrow for it has cares enough of its own8 

Besides, God will give you strength for today; his grace is sufficient.

We must all remember:

-->This world is not our home.  You and I are citizens of another kingdom!9

We have an everlasting home in Heaven!  While it seems that what we see and know is all there is, we remind ourselves that this life is fleeting, but eternity with God is just that -- eternity. with. God. in. perfection.  

If you've got Jesus, you've got HOPE; if you do not, you can choose to be a Christ follower right now. Why wouldn't you?

Here is what's involved:

1) belief that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross and rose again

2) acknowledgment that you are a sinner in need of a Savior

3) asking for forgiveness of your sins

4) a determination to let Jesus lead your life. [hit 'reply', let me know you made that decision!]

That's HOPE. Built on a foundation of TRUTH because of a God who loves endlessly. And that is POWERful... I promise you.

And, Even If.... my hope is in You:

Listen!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbvugtymrSk&list=RDJbvugtymrSk&start_radio=1

Christine

1 - Psalm 23.6

2 - Desiring God, John Piper

3 - Psalm 62.5-6, NLT

4 - Lamentations 3.22,23,25,26

5 - Psalm 121.4

6 - Proverbs 3.5-6

7 - James 1.5

8 - Matthew 6.34

9 - Philippians 3.20