Skip to main content

The Blessing of Hope



            Maybe I am a bit of a control freak, but I do not like uncertainty in my life.  I want to know what is coming.  Waiting for situations to resolve themselves usually just gives me more time to imagine the worst outcomes.
   Maybe that is why I like the words of the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk.  He said,  “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength” (3:17-18).
            Though nothing looks right and all is seemingly lost, Habakkuk is still hopeful because he believes that God is in charge and is doing something even if he does not see or understand it.  He does not let his "visible circumstances" overcome his "unseen strength".  
            Too often, I want proof that things will be ok, but faith actually requires that we believe in spite of what we see.  As Hebrews 11:1 points out, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see".
It is easy to look at our world and become scared, fearful and discouraged.  However, it is just as easy to believe that God is in control and that he will bring something good out of our current situation.
I do not know about you, but I want to stand on the side of hope!
“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).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Terrible Trade

            I used to have a Wayne Gretzky rookie card.               However, when I was 12 years old I did not like Wayne Gretzky, so I traded the card to my brother.   A few years ago, I remembered that incident, so I went looking for the card. Sure enough, there is was in a box in my mom’s basement.   Now here is the thing:   even in bad shape, Gretzky rookie cards sell for around $250.   Needless to say, that was not a good trade on my part.   I simply did not recognize what I had and so I traded away something valuable for something with almost no value at all.             With that in mind, notice how the letter to the Galatians starts: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which...
Post a Comment
Read more

Don’t Be a Tourist

                  From the moment that God told Abraham to leave his home and follow him (Genesis 12:1-3), God’s people have understood that they are on a journey.                 That being true, the essential question becomes, “How are you making that journey?”   T here are two options: You can be a tourist or you can be a pilgrim.                   Tourists leave their real life behind for a little while so that they can visit another place.   Generally, they travel in groups and do not mix much with the local people.   They hit the highlights of various regions, but they do not really experience what it is like to live in that part of t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Navigating Life's Transitions: Finding the good when nothing stays the same

Things change. Always. The question isn't "How do we stop that?", but rather, "What are we supposed to learn from it?"  https://youtu.be/ECxnQwRFyXI  
Post a Comment
Read more