We are living in a time of lawlessness like I’ve never seen in my lifetime. Fear is epidemic. Depression is threatening to overwhelm everyone. Suicides are at record numbers. Where is there any hope?
The world is only expressing what’s in their hearts, for they are “without hope and without God in this world.” (Eph. 2: 11-12)
Fear, like a chilling fog, hides hope from our hearts. When we allow the advise of worldly experts to cloud our vision of God’s promises, hope fails. The Psalmist cried, “Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psa. 27:1) When we remember His Word and stand on it, the fog begins to clear and our hope returns.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIVUK
Our Hope is in God
Hope is like a sedative; it calms our fears. But it is also like adrenaline. Hope energizes us and gives us the encouragement and the strength we need for daily living. We need to be full of the hope that only God can give us. As we feed on His word, He will satisfy us with hope.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Hope is the NIV translation for the word “wait” in the KJV. The Hebrew word carries the intention of waiting with eager anticipation. It is a good translation with a good message. When we eagerly anticipate the Lord and all He can do in any situation, our strength is renewed. We will soar and run and walk.
Energized by Hope
Our hope is in God. Let’s let Him energize us with His hope. And let’s be women who never speak a discouraging word, but fill the ears and hearts of those around us with hope! Hope is contagious, a good infection. If you have it, you can give it; if you don’t, catch hope today! Catch it from your time with God. Catch it from a positive Christian who has seen their hope fulfilled. Catch it from meditating on God’s Word. Then infect everyone you can!
Be encouraged by Paul’s prayer for the Christians at Ephesus.
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you many know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in this holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Eph. 1: 17-19
Let’s pray this for each other. If we know God better, we will be better prepared to have His hope fill us to overflowing. He has called us to hope. Let’s let Him fill us with that hope. After all, it is His power that makes our lives here possible.
I love the hymn, My hope is Built on Nothing Less. It was written by a Baptist minister, Edward Mote, in the mid 1800’s. Even with its old English words, it stirs our hearts to remember why we hope. Let these words increase your hope as they build your faith.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood
And righteousness
I dare not trust
The sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand (x2)When darkness veils
His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around
My soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay.When He shall come
With trumpet sound
O may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand
Before the throne.