Tag Archive | hope

Familiar Beauty

May2

by Kathy Stanford

I live in a small town (less than 1,000) and must drive several miles to get to any place with commercial services. As you can imagine, there are roads I’ve traveled so frequently I don’t really see the views any more. But once in a while a change of season will get my attention with a glorious display of God’s creation. When that happens, in that moment, I am freshly aware of the beauty that had become blindingly familiar. That kind of blind familiarity can happen while reading the Bible. I read God’s word every day, but sometimes I realize I’ve just read a whole passage with my eyes, while my mind was really somewhere else. And once in a while I am jolted to fresh awareness by the beauty of a long familiar verse.

I was reading in the book of Isaiah recently when I came to chapter 40. The chapter begins with reference to the end of Jerusalem’s suffering for her sin as it goes on to tell of the Lord’s coming and the glory of the Lord that will be revealed. The main body of the chapter is a glorious praise of God’s greatness and His complete sovereignty over all His creation, including man. It then comes back to the subject of sin and basically mocks our tendency to think we can hide our sin from God and escape due justice. But then God’s love becomes so beautifully evident as we see that even though He knows all about our wrong doing, He still watches over us. And when we realize we can not make it in our own strength we have the tender promise of verse 31.

Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

The Hebrew word translated wait is qavah, a verb meaning “to wait, look for, hope, expect”. I like all of those words – especially together. If I put in the full meaning it says “Yet those who wait, look for, hope and expect the Lord will gain new strength”. Some days I’m just waiting and hoping – “Lord take me outta here!” Other days I’m looking for and expecting – “Jesus I can’t wait to see your face and be with you!” But no matter what my mental state is, He has promised to give me strength. When life has me going at a run and when I’m just putting one foot in front of the other to get through the day, He enables me to rise above the trials and face life’s challenges. Wherever you are today, I hope you you will reach out to God and let Him give you the strength you need for this – and every – day.

“Dear Jesus, I’m so grateful for the power of your Word and the hope in your promises. Please strengthen me today for whatever life brings. Help me to trust you and glorify you in all I say and do.”

If you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, or are unsure, click on the tab at the top of the page for more information.

Hope in the New Year

Jan3

by Kathy Stanford

2016 – a New Year! What is it about a new year that fills us with hope and optimism for better things to come? It’s really just another day on the calendar, another bend in that flowing river of life. But turning the page to January 1 fills us with more hope and anticipation than turning to any other new month. Another thing that goes with a new year is lists. We have resolutions – things we hope to change, and we have goals – things we hope to achieve. Some of these are practical, like “I will exercise and eat more healthy foods”. Some are broad dreams, such as “I will find my true love”.  All are valid, because they represent our hope for a better future.  And if you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, you know the only source of true hope is found in Him.* (1Tim 4:10; Ps 71:5)

And then there are those lists you find everywhere at the end of a year. You know the ones – “Ten best (or worst)……”, “100 most (or least)…..”, etc. Usually I am focused on looking forward, but for some reason I enjoy reading these lists. Maybe it’s a way to let go of last year’s mistakes and disappointments. Every year of life brings both good and bad days. We must live each one, processing it into our life story. I believe the healthiest way to do this is to hang on to the lessons learned and let go of the pain. I’m not saying it’s easy because we all know it’s hard and we have to really work at it. But Philippians 3:13-14 gives us the formula. We focus on Jesus, pressing on “for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” And when the days get tough, remember the promise of Romans 5:3-5, “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and 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.” Even in the trials of life we know God is at work in us, through the Holy Spirit, building our character and strengthening our hope.

Rita challenged us to join her in memorizing scripture this year. I plan to take up the challenge and encourage you to do the same. It will be an excellent way to focus on Jesus and hold tight to the hope we have in Him. 2016 may be a little bumpy, but it can be a great year of growing closer to God.

“Thank you Jesus, for the hope we we have in You.”

*If you don’t know Jesus or are unsure, click on the tab at the top of the page for more information.