There is Hope in the Word
I was struck by Dan’s message of hope last week. During these unsettled times we need a rock to stand on, an anchor for our soul. God has given us that in the finished work of Jesus Christ. He is our rock and our anchor. He is the Word, the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Do these just feel like platitudes at times when we are experiencing trials and struggles as we all do at times? Jesus knew we’d feel like that at times. He knew because He went through the same things we do and much more during His time on earth. It’s because of that He sent the Holy Spirit to continually draw us to the Father who loves each one of us so dearly.
It’s because of that He gave us the Word, that we might put our faith in it and wait expectantly until we see the fruition of it. The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalms 119 and nearly each of the 176 verses refers to the Word. The Word is what David put his hope in when life around him seemed out of control and it didn’t disappoint.
Vs 74: “May those who fear you rejoice when they see me for I have put my hope in your word.”
Vs 81: “My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.”
There are verses for every situation that we can put our hope and faith in.
Psalms 103:1-5 “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
This word is alive and powerful to change, but just like food, it will not feed and nourish us unless we take it in, meditate on it, believe it and wait with expectancy that it will come to pass. One thing I’ve learned over the years is to pray believing prayers. Once I’ve asked, if I know it’s according to God’s will, my prayers turn to prayers of thanksgiving, thanking Him for the outcome before it’s manifest.
James 1:2-8 NLT
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the
wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” Friends, I would urge you to avail yourselves of any opportunity to take in God’s word. It will sustain during times of trouble like nothing else can.
Love and Blessings,
Ev