Hope

Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 

Hope

I have been reflecting on the difference hope makes.

Without it there is despair, depression and sadness.

As christians our hope is secure and sure.  We hope in christ, in our salvation, in God's goodness.  We have hope for eternal life.  We can have hope because he loves us.

It has made a significant difference in my life.  We make a choice of what we hope in a what we hope for.

There is nothing quite like hopelessness.   The feeling like you have no hope, like there is no way your situation will change.   But we have an anchor for our souls.

In my reflections I have just searched for 'hope' on biblegateway.... here are just a few of the verses that came up.  I hope they are encouraging for you.

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love  Psalm 33:18

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5

 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:81

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5

the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; Lamentations 3:25

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

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, Eph 1:18

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Tim 6:17

so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:7

The sufficiency of God

The sufficiency of God.

Today I am challenged by the fact that I seek to be self-reliant and not God reliant.

I am challenged by the fact that in preparing for my holidays I worried and bought things I needed and only prayed and asked God to provide what I could not find.  He did so so well.  But I am humbled that I did not ask him first.  He has provided for me so many times and blessed me with exactly what I have needed.  And yet I worry about what I will wear and whether I will have everything I need.

I am challenged that I should seek first his kingdom.  That I should seek him first.  I once heard the phrase that Jesus should be our first resource and not our last resort.

I am also challenged by what it means to seek first his kingdom.  Most of my prayers are selfish in nature and not kingdom driven.   I am single and in a sense have no one else to think about. And yet I know that life is found in the will of God and not my own will.

I am out of the habit of asking what that is.

Lord help me to remember you.  Thank you for music and for whispering to me.  Thank you for reminding me of you.  Please help me to live life forever listening to you, tasting of you and being satisfied in you.  I am sorry for seeking other things.  For worrying about my image.  Lord please protect us as we travel tomorrow.  Please lead me to pray in a way that honours you.  Please show me how I can be investing in your kingdom everyday.