As I wrote my New Year’s blog last week, I hoped that it would be an encouragement to you. I was excited to hear from many of you listing the tips that resonated the most within your own lives. As we round the corner of the second week of January, hope and anticipation are hanging in the air. I have this ‘hope’ for a better year, for a better me. It got me thinking about hope.
Ironically, my morning scripture reading came from Romans 12:12, which reads, “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” I wonder if the three go together? I know for me, patience is not my strong suit. If anything, I am impatient and have proven that time and time again as I move through this book writing and publishing process. The closer I get to the end, the more impatient I become. But I remain hopeful that I am almost finished. This hope keeps me going. It keeps me moving forward.
A few days ago, as I was praying to God about the finishing touches on the book, I confessed that I am ready to be done with this. God gently reminded me by saying, “Don’t rush it. You’ve rushed this whole process and it steals your joy.” Wow! You know what, God is right. Could patience in any process lead to joyful anticipation of the outcome?
I think those tips I offered up last week are important. Not because I wrote them, but because if we will intentionally deepening our relationship with God, God will speak to us and show us the way. Every time.
As I reread the scripture from Romans 12:12, I’m excited, almost joyful. My study notes read, “The certainty of a Christian’s faith is a cause for joy.” So is ‘hope” certainty? The note references Romans 5:5, which reads, ” hope does not disappoint us.” If hope doesn’t disappoint us, then I want more hope. My study note reads, “The believer’s hope is not to be equated with unfounded optimism. On the contrary, it is the blessed assurance of our future destiny and is based on God’s love.” Is ‘hope’ assurance of God’s love?
Makes me think of that old praise song, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly trust in Jesus name.” Hope is based on the certainty of something and cannot stand alone. Hope is grounded in our knowledge of God and who God is in us. Hope is the assurance that God’s love never fails and never ends. And we can trust in our own relationship with God.
If we are to have any hope, it is solidified in our own personal relationship with God. I think this is something to be joyful about. Because hope does not disappoint! And God does not disappoint! As we revisit the tips from last week and commit to deepening our relationship with God, know as your relationship with God grows, so will your hope. Put your hope, your faith and your trust in God and His love for you. Because hope never disappoints and love never fails!
Let us pray:
God of hope, forgive me for not trusting you with my whole heart. Grant me the assurance of your love so that I may be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen. -M
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