Week Twenty-Three - Hope

HOPE

“…Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.”  I Timothy 1:1

Paul writes to the Corinthians saying that without hope “we are of all men most miserable.”  I Cor 15:19.  As I meditate on this today I look at the situations around me, wayward teens, failing families, unfaithful friends, flagging economies and it can all look so hopeless. How are we to affect any change?  How can we infuse hope into situations and lives over which we have no control?

        

Surely Christ is the only hope. Without hope in His ability, His faithfulness, His assured love and care we would collapse and fall from faith.  Yet, the love of Christ constrains us.  It holds us together and points us to Himself thus restoring hope.  Hebrews 6:19 says this hope in Christ is “an anchor for the soul both sure and steadfast.

        

“Lord, help us to keep our eyes on you.  Help us to take heed to ourselves and keep ourselves in the love of God so that your Spirit can minister to us in the midst of despair and give us hope that is founded and settled solely in you; the anchor for our soul.”

In what or on whom is your soul anchored?  Where to you pin your hopes?

HOPE

“…hopeth all thing…and now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three….I Corinthians 13:7, 13

We have no problem understanding the power of great faith and great charity (love), but one may struggle at the idea of great hope.  It sounds naïve and hollow like a Granny hoping her wayward grandson won’t steal from her again, though he always does.  Or, like a person who can’t carry a tune bragging about their goal of winning American Idol.

Both scenarios are futile.  Granny needs to wise up and protect herself, and the singer needs a dose of reality.  Yet, hope is placed alongside faith and love as one of the characteristics that will last.  Vine defines it as “favourable and confident expectation”.  It is happy anticipation of good.  Hope for the person of faith and love is not naïve or groundless.  It is based on the solid foundation of the love of God and faith in Christ and rests with happy anticipation in the promises of God’s Word, which cannot fail.

        

Hope says, no matter what today looks like, tomorrow will be better.  No matter how hard things are now, in time it will ease.  No matter how bleak the picture, God is able to make it better and I will wait, stay faithful and continue to live in hope because He is faithful and can be trusted.

Hope looks for the coming Saviour.  Hope knows how to “futurize”; to think upon the final goal or outcome in order to draw motivation and encouragement for today.  Hope says, “I know my God is able…so I will wait upon Him.”

Are you facing hard times?  Does all seem lost or too hard to face?  Can you place your sight on a better day and believe God is able?

HOPE

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul?  And why art thou disquieted in me?  Hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”

 Psalm 42:5

Every “why” question demands a measure of hope to be able to accept the answer, so the question “why” and the answer of hope go together.  For example, we ask the mechanic, “Why doesn’t my car work,” and we hope the answer is simple and cheap!  We ask why someone is upset with us and we hope the answer is easily resolved.  We ask why we have to have an operation and we hope the doctor knows his stuff.

David asked his soul why it was depressed.  Then, even without an answer, he turned to look past the current “why” to the ultimate truth – God would take him through.  He doesn’t seem to surmise if the remedy will be simple, cheap, easy or without fear, but his faith is strong enough to know that his current emotional state is temporary and refuses to allow it full control.  He can continue to function if he looks up in faith to God.  Help and praise will come. His hopes will be realized, because his hope is based in God – not his emotions.

Someone once wrote:  “Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but faith looks forward!”  Sound advice!

Do discouragements get you side-tracked?  Can you hope, without an answer, and believe God is the lifter up of your head and that praise will return?

HOPE

“…for we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope.  For what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?”  But if we hope for that we see not,

 then do we with patience wait for it.”

 Romans 8:24 – 25

This verse always reminds me of Christmas.  I remember my thirteenth Christmas.  There was an odd cylinder shaped present under the tree for me.  I shook it and it had a nice rattling sound.  My sister said it had makeup inside.  Oh, I so looked forward to opening that gift.  I hoped she was right!  But, on Christmas day my curious cylinder present was a pair of attachable roller skates.  My hopes were dashed!

I am so thankful that this verse is not really referring to Christmas gifts.  The hope of this verse is much more precious.  We are saved by hope.  From the moment we place our faith in Christ we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and we begin our journey toward heaven and our final restoration.  That is our hope.

        

If we had been immediately translated to heaven upon salvation, there would be no need for hope.  Hope is a wonderful space of time for us to imagine what God has for us in the end.  But, you know, we are finite. Our hope and imaginations are too small to realize all God has prepared for us.  It will be much better than Christmas!

Can you patiently wait?  Do thoughts about and images of Heaven make your heart long for home?

HOPE

“It is good for a man that he should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.”  Lamentations 3:24

My husband is an amazing man with an innate ability to wait on the Lord.  He doesn’t like to wait for his supper or to wait in a queue, but he will wait literally years for God to work in people’s lives, all the while placing his hope and faith solidly upon God in anticipation of the day God opens doors.  I have watched this many times during our ministry and have seen this wisdom in hopefully waiting. Yet, though I see it and I relish the joy of hopes realized, I still get anxious for God to work faster.

Jeremiah said it is good for us to hope and wait.  What does he mean?  Does he mean that waiting has a definite benefit to us? Does he mean that those who have learned to hope and wait find more happiness in the outcome than those of us who strain and push to see things happen?  I don’t have the answer, but I can see the lesson and have experienced it in ministry. 

“Lord, help me to just get in my place and quietly hope in your ability and timing.”

What about you?  Are you pushing through life or resting in hope?  Does your health or attitude reveal any answers?

Week Twenty Two - Gracious

GRACIOUS

“And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth…” Luke 4:22

And who was this gracious man?  It was the Lord Jesus.  His words were easy, good and kind.  Psalm 45:2 says of Jesus that “grace is poured into thy lips”.  Every word he spoke was measured in grace.  No thoughtless remark ever escaped.  Every word had purpose and content.  Every word ministered grace to the hearers.

        

We are admonished to do the same.  Eph 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”  We are to measure our words by Christ’s example and by the need of the hearer.

        

So many times we fail.  We allow words to pour from our lips that have not been checked by the Spirit of God.  Or, our tone of voice casts doubt over the true intent of our words.  James tells us that the tongue is a poisonous fire if left uncontrolled and seriously warns us about learning to control our speech. He concludes the chapter with a comparison of godly and ungodly wisdom. 

“The words of a wise man’s mouth, Eccles. 10:12 says, “are gracious…” It take great wisdom to construct gracious words.  It takes time to think before we speak and to anticipate or prepare our hearts for proper reactions in communication.  Since the Bible tells us that our words proceed from what is truly in our hearts, we best be checking the root of the problem! The truly gracious words will proceed from a heart at peace with God. 

What are our words like?  Would people describe our words as easy, good and kind?  Do we sound gracious?

GRACIOUS

“A gracious woman retaineth honour…”  Proverbs 11:16

Again, the definition is easy, good and kind.  It also holds the idea of having a good report or being fair-sounding. This is the description of the woman, but the next word, “retaineth”, is a description of her action.  It literally means to hold onto strongly. 

When you combine graciousness with strength you find a formidable combination.  It makes me think of the definition of meekness – strength under control.  Graciousness is not a simple quality.  It takes self-control, discernment and strength to choose to speak and act graciously in the face of hardships and difficult people.  Yet, I believe the verse also shows us a motivation.  Honour.  Being gracious has it’s own rewards, and one of those is a good reputation.  To maintain a honourable reputation takes real strength and consistency.  One fatal ungracious word or action and the reputation can be lost.

I have only met a few people in my life that I would describe as gracious and the amazing thing is that they made it look like it was easy and made me feel easy around them.  They made me think that their goodness was without question and their kindness had no limits.  It is very attractive and a quality that few possess.  It is a goal to aspire unto!  The very epitome of Christlikeness!

Would people describe you as a gracious person?  Are you careful with your words?  Do you faithfully protect your reputation?

GRACIOUS

“If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious…”  I Peter 2:3

This chapter of Peter starts with a strong reference to the types of words and attitudes that should not be a part of the life of a Christian: malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy and all evil speaking.  He appeals to us to look into God’s Word so we can grow out of these things.  The graciousness of the Lord in this verse is referring to our experience of his gracious gift of salvation in the face of our apparent sin.  As the chapter proceeds he comes to verse twelve, “having your conversation honest among the Gentiles…”  The change in our lives after we have received Christ should be shown in our words, lifestyle and action to those around us.

My Bible has a reference to Luke 6:35, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”

        

Remember that the definition of “gracious” includes that word “kind”?  God was kind/gracious to us when we needed it most, and he is also kind to the unthankful and to the evil.  Yes, the wrath of God is upon them because they do not know him, but his action toward them is gracious and kind that he might lead them to repentance.

        

How are our actions toward the lost? If we are acting in the old man, speaking evil and living harshly, how can the graciousness of the Lord be seen by those who need him?  If we have tasted that the Lord is gracious, surely we would want to share that with others.

GRACIOUS

“…for I am gracious.”  Exodus 22:27

The “I AM” is gracious.  Graciousness is an attribute of God.  He is good.  He is kind.  He is open to us.  Many times throughout Scripture this word gracious appears along side other attributes like gracious and full of compassion in Psalm 111:4, or gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous in Psalm 112:4, but one of my favourites is Isaiah 30:18, “And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you…”

        

This chapter of Isaiah recounts the rebellion of the children of Israel and then offers of help and forgiveness by the Lord, which they refused and ignored.  But though they were obstinate and rebellious, the Lord said he would just wait graciously for them to return from their folly.  Matter of fact, the Lord states in verse 19, “he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.”   Very gracious.  Yes.  Though they have ignored his call and gone their own haughty and prideful way, when they finally realise where they are and call out to Him, he will hear and he will answer.

        

Graciousness waits.  It doesn’t rush in to deliver.  It doesn’t push its agenda on others.  It is not oblivious to the danger, but it watches from a distance and waits for the opportune moment when real help is ready to be received.

Can you wait graciously for those moments?  Or, do you charge into people’s lives?  Can you recount times when God has graciously waiting on you?

GRACIOUS

“…And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.”  Genesis 43:29

The story of Joseph is a picture of the graciousness of God.  We know the story, how his brothers due to their jealousy of him sold Joseph into slavery and how that God worked in the life of Joseph while estranged from his family.  As the family come to seek food during the drought, Joseph works slowly to determine their hearts and to establish the health of his father and younger brother, Benjamin.  He is waiting to be gracious, similarly to the verse we looked at in Isaiah.  (Isaiah 30:18)

At the point of today’s verse, Benjamin has been brought to Joseph as a show of good faith.  Joseph is overwhelmed by the sight of his brother and has had to leave the scene to weep.

Remember that the brothers do not yet know it is Joseph.  They are concerned that this man will do harm to the younger brother and they know that it is their sin that has brought them to this place.  In Genesis 42:21 they even say they are very guilty and that they deserve to be punished for what they had done to Joseph their brother.  Though Joseph heard this confession, he waited.  And, yes, even after they had brought Benjamin, he still waited.  When the time was right, Joseph revealed himself and then poured out all manner of aid and assurance to the undeserving brothers.

This is an image of our Saviour.  Though we have rejected and crucified him, at the opportune moment, when we are ready to receive him, he comes in with all willingness and ability to save our souls – to be gracious unto us. 

Is he still waiting upon you?   Is there something you need to confess to Him?  He will be gracious unto you.

Week Twenty One - Girded

GIRDED

“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning.” 

Luke 12:35

Girded.  It is the action of hedging about, to prepare, to make sure, to fasten on your belt and get to work!  Here is the stance of the prepared and anticipatory Christian.  He stands both sure and active.  He is girded for service with majesty of attitude and action with Christ as our example. His light is burning brightly holding forth the Word of Life with preparedness and a confident stance in life, doctrine, attitude, direction and sure reward.

Such a Christian stands ready to receive honour and reward.  “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” (Luke12:37) 

Did you see that?  If we are ready and watching, the Lord will “serve” us?  He will see to our needs.  Isn’t that amazing!? 

        

To be ill prepared, however, is to receive punishment.  “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.  (vs. 47)

        

Remember the Ten Virgins?  Those that were not prepared when the voice of the Bridegroom sounded missed out on the wedding party.  Their lamps were not lit.  They were not girded and ready.  They missed the opportunity.

        

Being girded is our responsibility.  We are to be prepared and watching for His coming and be actively serving with lamps all trimmed and bright.  We are to be anticipating His return.  “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing!”  Luke 12:43

So, are you ready?  Is your lamp trimmed and bright?  Are you ready to get to work?

GIRDED

““…having your loins girded about with truth.”  Ephesians 6:14

Vine’s Dictionary describes this word with the visual picture of the soldier or servant of Christ girded for service, ready for rapid movement.  The truth is on his heart and mind.  He is ready to be used at the first call. There is a readiness and an ability to use the truth that is bound to him. 

This girded loin is just one part of the armour of the soldier of Christ as described in Ephesians chapter six, but it is a very vital part.  From the loins come the movements of the rest of the body.  If truth is not the sinew holding the frame together, the body will be disjointed and unable to be ready for rapid movement.

        

The image of a girdle is accurate picture.  There is an elderly lady in our church whose aging frame requires her to daily wear a tight girdle.  Without this girdle her hips will dislocate and she will not be able to function.  The girdle literally helps to hold her together and enables her to continue to function.

        

If we apply the image of a girdle as truth we will understand that it is truth that holds us together.  It is truth that gives us the ability to function productively and for the honour of our Lord.  We definitely need truth. 

So the question can be asked, “Just how much truth do we know?”  Every piece of truth is important.  God loves me.  That is truth.  I am His child.  That is truth.  He will never leave me.  That, too, is truth.  These are basics from God’s Word.  Knowing them, believing them, and relying upon them will enable us to move in faith.  Without these basic truths, we will be disjointed. 

So, is your girdle tight enough?

GIRDED

“Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. “  Psalm 30:11

In this verse the meaning of girded is to be wrapped up in, bound about with, to be wholly influenced by or under the influence of.

The Bible makes many references to the putting on of sackcloth and ashes to represent grief or repentance.  The wearers would literally take dusty, dirty cloth and wrap it around themselves.  They would then rub their clothing and skin with ashes and sit in a heap to demonstrate their sincere grief of heart and soul. 

        

When David and Bathsheba’s son was ill the Bible says that David did sat in sackcloth and ashes, but when the child died he arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel…”  (II Sam 12:20)  His time of grieving was over.  It was time to put off the sackcloth and change his emotion.  David moved from being girded in grief to being girded in acceptance.

        

In Psalm 30, a song of dedication of the house of David, the time for rejoicing had come.  Verse eleven says it was time to be wrapped up in gladness for all God had done.  What a wonderful feeling – to be wrapped in gladness!  What a wonderful change God makes in our lives as he changes our mourning into joyful dance and pours gladness into our hearts.

        

The Psalmist completes the chapter by revealing what a heart girded with gladness produces.  “To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”  A heart girded with gladness will produce praise and thanksgiving. 

Life can bring many changes of emotion. We can be held under the influences of these emotions. Matthew Henry says, “Thus must we learn to accommodate ourselves to the various providences of God.”

What are you wrapped up in?

GIRDED

“And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste:  it is the Lord’s Passover.”  Exodus 12:11

Sounds like really bad table manners, but the Israelites were to eat the Passover fully clothed as if they were ready to go out the door.  This was not to be a leisurely meal like the everyday meals where they lounged around and ate for the enjoyment of the food and fellowship. They were to eat it quickly as if in expectation of being called away.

        

The reason was that this point in the Passover service was a picture of their readiness for their wilderness journey.  They were waiting for the cloud to move them on to the next place. For us, as Christians, it reminds us to live our lives alert in expectation of Christ’s coming.

        

I John 2:28 says, “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”  Abiding, being girded, being ready, this is the stance of the Christian.  There is a little chorus that says:

“ I’ll be somewhere listening,

I’ll be somewhere listening,

I’ll be somewhere listening for my name…” 

Indeed, no matter what service we are doing for the Lord we should be always girded and ready for his call whether in death or in rapture.  Ready to meet Him.  That call is imminent.

Are you ready?  Are you listening?

GIRDED

“And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.”  Revelation 1:13

This description of Christ in the book of Revelation reveals that Christ too understands the emblematic and symbolic meaning of being girded.  He stands as the Alpha and Omega, the first and last as he begins to reveal the mysteries of the ages.  His girding is not so much for readiness, but for the majesty of attitude and action with which he now stands.  He has overcome and now he is about to set all things aright.  He has this power and authority and his apparel signifies his position.

        

It is interesting to note that the girding of the Christians we have been talking about was usually done around the hips with a cord or a sheath of fabric.  Yet here we see the girdle of Christ described as golden, and instead of being around his hips, it is across his breastplate. 

        

The High Priest wore a breastplate with twelve jewels symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel.  It was to be worn as a memorial before the Lord.  (Exodus 28:29)  This breastplate signified him as the High Priest.  Similarly, Christ, here in Revelation, wears this golden girdle, over his heart signifying and confirming that he is our Great High Priest.

        

And what is the reaction of those who see him in Revelation?  The Apostle John said, “And when I saw him, I fell at is feet as dead.”  John recognized the majesty and authority of the Deity before him.  His heart was attuned and ready to worship.  He recognized the Way, the Truth and the Life…because, he, too, was girded. 

Are you girded?  What would be your reaction if you stood before Christ today?