Hope does not disappoint us. It doesn’t disappoint, according to the very Word of God in Romans 5:5, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. How can we be disappointed by God’s love? It’s the most powerful thing in the world. Verse two says we’re to hope in the glory of God. God’s glory is revealed in the redemption of everything. Christ’s death on the cross and then rising again, the restoration of all creation. These are acts that reveal the glory of God. We cannot be disappointed in the hope offered us through Christ. God’s full redemption plan will come to completion. It’s a hope that cannot disappoint.
faith
The Day Before
Gideon said to Him, “O my lord,if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” Judges 6:13-14
This is just an encouragement that this is what it feels like the day before the victory, the day before God moves. Gideon is wondering where God is, what He’s been doing, why all these bad things are happening, where are the miracles? But it only takes a moment for the Lord to speak the word and change everything.
He hasn’t changed while you’ve been waiting on Him, waiting on miracles. His power hasn’t changed, His love for you hasn’t changed. But your life will change once He speaks that word. Don’t tire of waiting in His presence for the “Go,” for Him to announce the time has come.
Confidence, Not Fear
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Luke 10:19 NIV
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Genesis 50:20 NASB
Whether by the evil intent of our enemy or that of humans, God’s intentions of good win the day. Joseph went through years of blessed suffering. To have a concern about scorpions and snakes, they have to be there threatening. To experience healing there has to be something that hurts. To experience deliverance there has to be confinement. Jesus promises that we will have trouble. But He declares Himself as the means to which we overcome them all. The command He gives us? Do not fear. Our job? To walk with confidence in our deliverer, our protector.
Hold Fast to Faith
Don’t let go. Hold fast to faith. Through the blackest night, the evil day, perseverance of faith is a must. That’s why your faith is exercised, so you will be prepared to stand.
Controlling the Future
Do not fear – do not plan – It’s a form of fear. Trying to control your future by planning, is fear, not faith. God has the future planned.
Tell the Old Stories
Tell God a story, a tale from on old, to remind Him of the past. Why should He be reminded? David did it. Abraham. Moses… God didn’t forget. It builds and shows faith. It proclaims truth. Faith and truth are powerful.
Life in Christ - Christ in Me 