Beloved, proper love will reject human malfunction as being definitive.
I’ve found that even when faith weakens, hope comes to liberate. It’s that long cord that keeps us connected to the sovereignty and power of God. In 1 Peter 1:3 the apostle Peter wrote to believers who were experiencing severe trials. To encourage them, he began, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Beloved, our hope is a living hope because our God is a living God. NO MATTER how depressing your situation might seem, God is at work to complete His purposes. As Christ hung on that old rough cross, it seemed as if sin had finally prevailed over righteousness. But sin’s best hour became its death ring when Christ arose from the grave as Lord of life and Redeemer of His people. Romans 8:11 says: Now “He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal [body] through His Spirit who indwells you.” Trials and death have no power over you Beloved. They bring you closer to Christ.
When you’re ministering to others, hope gives you confidence that as long as there’s life, human failure is never final. God refused to accept Israel’s failures, Jesus refused to accept Peter’s, and Paul refused to accept that of the Corinthians. When your attempts to cover the sins of others have failed, or it has destroyed your righteous expectations, hope says, “DON’T GIVE UP!!! God can still work this out for good.”
Hope is demonstrated in the true story of a dog thrown out at the airport of a large city. He stayed there for over five years, waiting for his master to return. People at the airport fed and cared for him, but he refused to leave the spot where he last saw his master. Beloved, if a dog’s love for his master can produce that kind of hope, how much more should your love for God produce enduring hope?
Let Us Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your sovereignty and power, and for the hope that’s Yours in Christ. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen and Aaamen.
Beloved, life is very short. It comes and goes like an unannounced gust of wind. None of us know the hour or day when that gust of wind may enter our room and blow out our earthly light. So today, reach out and touch someone and tell them you love them, BECAUSE TELLING THEM LATER JUST MIGHT BE – TOO LATE. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Have a wonderful Sunday. 😀
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