Hope!

Hope!

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[13] 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.

Deep can only call out to deep, or expect a response or reaction from deep. The verse above is taken from the letter written by Paul to the church in Rome. This was a hard time for the church, with persecution and tough times ahead, but God always had a word of encouragement and hope to give to His own, in the midst of the most distressing circumstances. The Word of God is the person of Jesus, as well as the depth of insight and guidance available in Him for my good. By His Word, He gives me His person, presence, principles, policies, procedures and practices that provide the pathway for a life of impact. Everything in His Word is given to teach me how to endure and hold on to God and the hope that He births in me. There is no one and nothing else in this life that can provide that hope. However, as it has always been laid out, God does not force Himself on anyone. I do have a role to play to allow Him work in me that which He desires. I have the choice to make on who/what is allowed to make an impression on my heart. 

The reason why I need to watch that impression is because there are earthly and eternal consequences to whatever it is that is permitted to settle in my heart. God wants to fill me with hope so that I can have peace and joy. I cannot have either without His presence. As I trust Him, I am saying I give him total control over my life's pursuits and priorities. I am saying that I want Him to fill me up to the brim so that I can overflow with all that He is and has. Of course, this is a lifestyle that cannot be faked. You can try for all other situations, but here, you cannot give what you do not have. How can I pass on the hope of eternal life to another, if I do not have an idea of what it means? How do I show another the way if I do not know the Way? God wants to be known and glorified in and through me, and the only way that works is for me to His eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet and heart. In the tough times we are in now, this is the right message for this season. There is hope only in Jesus. The economy of the world will fail, but only in Jesus is my hope secure. Does He live in me? Does He live in you? God's time of favour is here.