Sunday, January 13, 2008

I Hope

Proverbs 13:12, 19
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul
Hope.

It is the desire for something that you do not have, that you believe you will have, at some point in the future.

It is the sentiment of perhaps in stating intent.

It is the expectation and anticipation of the fulfillment of things that have been promised but not yet presented.

It is a fruit of the Spirit, hope is, planted, grown and produced through relationship with the Divine Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

And when hope is deferred, put off, detoured, or delayed, there is a sickness and a sadness that results. But still we hope. We long to see what we do not now see; we long to hold what we do not now have; we long to experience what we have never encountered before. There is nothing in this world that is quite like hope, and faith is the reality of hope, the substance, the evidence. If you have it, you can see it, taste it, hear it, touch it, smell it, and you know it is real because you have it. But hope...hope is the reality of something you cannot yet get your senses around yet, but knowing that you will.

Hope is a desire that makes life worth living. Though the answer is long in coming, hope keeps you looking. We hope for better days, for better results, for better things. For some it may be eternity that they hope for, for others it may be tomorrow. Either way, the expectation of something better is the force that drives us onward. And when that something better arrives, sometimes dropped into our lap at an unplanned moment, sometimes worked hard toward and attained at long last, it is sweetness to the soul that banishes all the heartache caused by the wait! Hope is a beautiful thing.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

For God is my defense

Psalm 59:16-17
But I will sing of Your power;
Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;
for you have been my defense
and refuge in the day of my trouble.
To you, O my Strength, I will sing praises;
For God is my defense,
My God of mercy.


How easily do we forget the help of God? There are a lot of people in the world who do not know Him as a personal savior, who do not know His voice or His tender touch, His reassuring presence or His great and precious promises. Frankly, I don't know how they make it through the day without Him, but somehow they manage.

On the other hand, there are a lot people in the world who do know Him that way, but they still try to make it through their day without Him. What's up with that?

How easily we forget the help of God! His power and mercy are the two greatest things of all, the two things upon which my life is founded and grounded, the two things without which I would be completely lost and hopeless. But He has lent me His power and granted me His mercy. I'm forgiven and I'm free, but how easily do I forget.

We rise to defend ourselves so quickly, but it is God who is our defense. He is the refuge in which we find shelter in storm, in battle, in tragedy, in crisis. He is the strong tower that keeps us safe. Do I really need the help of an army or an attorney? Do I really need a lineman or a bodyguard? I've got God on my side, but how easily do I forget.

When I am weak, He is strength within me.

When I am beseiged, He is defense around me.

When I am wrong, He is mercy upon me.

How easily do I forget! O Lord, help me to remember.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Why

We know so much, and do so little.

I know where to go when I need help, for my help comes from the Lord. Why do I forget to go to Him when I need Him?

I know where to go when I need counsel, for He is the Wonderful Counselor. Why do I forget to talk to Him when I need Him?

I know where to go when I need protection, for the Name of the Lord is a strong tower. Why do I forget to run to Him when I need Him?

I know where to go when I need healing, for by His stripes we are healed. Why do I forget to depend on Him when I need Him?

I know where to go when I need TLC, for He cares for me. Why do I forget to cast all my cares on Him when I need Him?

I know where to go. I just need to do it.