This lesson 12 of the Study The Upside World of Theology.
Chapter
Eleven
Hope is a
four-letter word everyone can use.
“16 Therefore
it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so
that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of
the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father
of us all 17 ¶ (as it is
written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence
of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things
which do not exist as though they did; 18
who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many
nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be."”
(Romans4:16-18 NKJV)
I love the phrase
“contrary to hope, in hope believed” as Paul, who knew
the sufferings of Jesus in his own body, tells us the story of Abraham who held
on to God in what has to have been one of the longest waited for prayer requests! Abraham would fail and much pain would come
from his failure, but in the end a greater glory would grow from the seed of
hope which brought hope to all of humanity!
Over
the years I have discovered the power of words like love and faith to change
lives and to resurrect lives even here on earth. The power of these words in our lives and
families is so great that love and faith are talked about so much, preached
about so much and even placed on cups and plates to celebrate their deep value
to those of us who are in Jesus Christ.
But
over the years I have also seen the deep value of hope. I believe it is almost impossible for someone
to come to Jesus without the preparation of hope in their lives. Hope is the rich soil that the seed of faith
brings for the fruit of love in our lives!
Despair,
despondency and depression are like roots that grow and curl around our lives
and choke out the good things that God has for us. They shade us from the Light of God and leave
us weak and wandering in the darkness.
Many
years ago I read an article in the newspaper that said a majority of fifth
graders did not have a reason to live and no hope for the future! I was stunned! When I was in the fifth grade I had so many
dreams of the future I had trouble settling on any one!
You can’t!
God
has created us with incredible gifts and graces so we can live a wondrous life,
bless others and bring glory to God! But the world tells us “you can’t” at an even
more unrelenting pace and over much more media than we ever dreamed
possible. Young girls are told they are
either too much or not enough and young boys are constantly given limitations
so we can “be fair” to others.
God
given gifts and graces are quashed by a society of the can’t to the point even
the Church believes it! But God says
something different!
“I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)
Let
that sink in for a moment! If you can hear
that and begin to believe than you will experience the fresh wind of the Holy
Spirit blowing through your life! All
the weeds of doubt will be pulled out and cast away to make room for the seeds
of hope to be planted into your life!
We
are not limited by our own abilities or talents for God can empower and gift us
for every occasion and opportunity God sets before us. If we are honest even our abilities and
talents are gifts from God which we are given so we can glorify God, care for
ourselves and bless others. But through God’s strength we are capable of not
just doing more, or doing it better, but we can organize and fully use all the
gifts and talents given to us by God.
God can give us the courage to go where we wouldn’t on our own and to do
what we believe we are incapable of doing.
What do you believe God is calling you to do
or to be?
What is your response to God’s call?
What are three things you have to offer God?
1.
2.
3.
How do they work together?
If you do not hear God’s will for you could it be because you
doubt yourself or God?
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