HOPE? OR WISHFUL THINKING?
Closely related to the quality of my faith is the intensity of my hope. (WOW – could have stopped right THERE!).
I had to read this one through a few times to really let it soak in ~
CLOSELY related to the QUALITY OF MY FAITH is the INTENSITY OF MY HOPE! The word of Jesus carries the implicit theme that the world is out to do us good. When you stop and think about it, that’s an EXTRAORDINARY idea. In most of our lives we have the impression that the world has done us considerable harm and comparatively little good. YET, if the ABBA OF JESUS loves US, if he PURSUES US as a tremendous Lover who is DYING (in his Son) to be with US, then we are COMMITTED to the notion that his world, the work of HIS hands, is out to do us good. And that means taking the risk of letting others do good to us. It means going to the wedding feast and celebrating with the FIRM CONVICTION that we are NOT going to be chumped, cheated, or disastrously surprised.
“No weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you,
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the LORD.
Isaiah 54:17.
Now if THAT wasn’t just the attitude adjustment I needed! Thanks be to GOD!
Any thoughts?
Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?