Are you running low on hope?
If we have an imaginary gas tank that is filled with hope, sometimes we can get mighty low . . even seem like we're "on empty."
The Word of God gives us hope, and strengthens the hope that we already have. And not just the New Testament, either:
Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction,
that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
God had a purpose in mind, and the Bible was written with a divine desire to give us hope.
And as many years as we've been Christians, we cannot begin to know all there is to know from His Word. Our experiences in life are very few compared to the wisdom of God. Sometimes what we receive from the Bible when we study is not the fulfillment of our dream. Sometimes it is the disappearance of that failed dream, replaced with the peace and glory of Jesus, our Savior.
The path of joy might not always be clearly marked. But if we study His Word, the verses we study can take us there.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that
by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)
For you shall out out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and
the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the
field shall clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12)
These verses on hope and joy inspired me this week . . . will you share a verse (or two or three!) that have meant a great deal to you recently?
I read this today.....
ReplyDeletePsalm 27:4, “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” (NIV)
Oh that it were true of me, that it were the one thing and the only thing that I seek. To live a life filled with the knowledge of His beauty. What joy that would bring.
You are right about the path of joy! I've just been reading Romans too and this verse stuck out:
ReplyDeleteRomans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
I don't know about you but my mortal body needs to know that! Such power available to us through His Spirit working in us! xx
MY mortal body is a testimony to these verses.
ReplyDeleteWhen we have hope we can rejoice even in trials because in all of these challenging situations, "hope will not lead to disappointment" (John 5:5, NIV).
ReplyDelete