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“Hope does not disappoint,

because the love of God 

has been poured out within our hearts

through the Holy Spirit 

who was given to us.” 

~Romans 5:5

 

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ!

He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us

And put His spirit in our hearts as a deposit

Guaranteeing what is to come.

~2 Cor 1:22

 

Good morning my beloved, hope-filled sister!

These 2 verses tell a little story about hope. Did you know that the word hope is both a noun and a verb? Hope, as a noun, means a solid trust, as in “I have hope in God alone”. Hope as a verb is more like “I hope God will move in my situation.”

As we go through our daily lives, we don’t always see God’s purposes clearly, especially when things seem to go awry.(1 Cor 13:12) We look in that mirror and think, “why me?” But we see only dimly, forgetting that God sees us with perfect, down to the molecule precision!

Even if we do remember God’s perfect sight, we spend a lot of energy hoping that He will fix things, even though that might be according to our will, not His. We might even be tempted to think, “God, you call me your child! Why is this happening to me?” I’m thinking about myself here, of course, but I suspect that you might see yourself in these words too.

The truth is, every believer is a child of God, and our Father wants us to grow; to come to know Him better and better until we do finally see face to face on that glorious day! One way growth is accomplished is by hoping in our own efforts less and hoping in God more. 

For example, say there is a landowner who leases her property to a tenant. The landowner has collected rent from the tenant and a security deposit. Years later, the tenant moves and demands the return of the security deposit. However, there is so much damage to the property that the landowner has the legal right to use the deposit to cover the cost of damages. 

The tenant responds with a nasty note. Okay… time to turn the other cheek … so the landowner says nothing in defense. (Matt 5:39) (I am right, aren’t I Lord? Oops, I mean, the landowner did what Jesus said, right?) The landowner keeps the deposit to use for the repairs in progress, reasoning that it is fair and just, especially since the cost of repairs exceed the amount of the deposit. 

A day later, the tenant responds again, this time with a threat to go to court. Wow, this is beginning to sound like something straight out of the Bible! “And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your cloak as well.” (Matt.5:40) The landowner begins to realize that she had better begin to hope in God rather than hope God will arrange a righteous agreement for her. So, the landowner returns the deposit in full (the shirt) and pays the final water bill as well. (the cloak) Ouch.

But, as the landowner was obedient to God’s Word, she began to see just a tiny bit more clearly! She began to realize a bit more of the surpassing value of the treasure that has been poured into her own heart through the Holy Spirit which has been given to her! The value of hope in God, which never disappoints!

Will the landowner live happily ever after? Happiness isn’t the goal. As long as we dwell in this world, trials, tribulations, toils and afflictions will be an everyday part of every believer’s life. BUT GOD supplies ALL the armor, weapons, wisdom and grace needed to live in His victory, to live in His hope and to keep us in His love.

God has given us a security deposit too, the Holy Spirit, which He will never demand back! Our only true security is in Him, and it cannot be bought at any earthly price. Only by the precious blood of Jesus!

So, my dear sister, where are you placing your security today? The landowner’s security was misplaced in the trust of sinful man and corrupt government. Why should she have been surprised by the harvest?

You are precious to God, He has set His seal upon you, guaranteeing His promise to you! Why not entrust yourself to His own hands? There is no hope more secure than in His almighty arms of love, mercy and grace.

Keep loving Jesus and moving forward!

Lots of love, your sister, Celeste