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

New Article: Grace Changes Everything

               A young man broke into a business and did $5000 damage. As part of his Restorative Justice sentence, he was required to meet with my friend Garth.   Garth believes in making apologies and restitution.   It took several months, but Garth finally convinced the young man that these were necessary steps, so he tried to arrange a meeting with the business owner.                The business owner wanted nothing to do with this situation.   He was angry and wanted a more severe form of justice.   Eventually, however, he agreed to meet the young man to hear what he had to say.                  The young man looked the business owner in the eye an...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Art of Noticing.... Seeing what we need to see and what we miss when we don't

 What we focus on in life matters. Here are some scriptural reminders that will help us see correctly.  https://youtu.be/Rn76tV0ZH8s    
Post a Comment
Read more

New Article: Think Abundance Not Scarcity

                 “There are no trees in Saskatchewan!”                I have heard that statement many times, mostly from people who moved to Estevan from places like British Columbia or northern Ontario.   Compared to what they expect, Saskatchewan, and Estevan in particular, seems rather barren.   However, that statement is not true.   More than half the province is covered with trees.   Go up north and there are trees everywhere.                A few months ago, I came across an aerial photo of Estevan from the 1950s.   When I showed it to my girls, the first thing they said was, “Wow, there are no trees in that picture!”   The photo looked odd ...
Post a Comment
Read more