We Need More... Hope Do you have a lot of hope? Where does it come from and where does it go to (if you are in a time of despair)? 2017 was a tough year in our church, but does living through tough times increase or decrease your faith, and how does that faith lead to hope? Paul talks about hope in Romans chapter 8 – if you are going through a "dark night of the soul", then this chapter is a good place to revisit. Our hope is not a vague wish like "I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow" – hope to the Christian is based on solid evidence from the word of God, who cannot lie. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Romans 8: 22-25 [NIV] We live in the period between Christ's first coming and his return. We may be uncomfortable with the way the world is today – but we know what God's intention for the world is in the future, and we therefore have something to long for, and a basis for a secure and solid hope. Can we live today remembering this as our "status" and not be dragged down by the world's negativity? 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 [NIV] Let this be our prayer. Dave MacLellan | 
No comments:
Post a Comment