Every day, a million voices are vying for our attention and our affection; for our hearts and our hope…and the loudest voice wins. Since our Fall in Eden, both the state of the human heart and the promise of redemption have not changed. However, as we now live in the age of information, we spend our days tethered to nonstop updates, many which are designed to fill us with narratives of blame and panic. In the midst of all of this, Jesus gives us:
Peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Love that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:19).
Hope that overflows by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
Joy Unspeakable (1 Peter 1:8-9).
Joy is OURS in the Gospel, but we often need to change the station we are authorizing to give us our information. In this and the previous blog post, I am sharing 30 of God’s Promises that make my soul radiate with hope. Spend some time this week slowing down and letting these take root in your heart. All the joy you could ever need is already YOURS in Christ. It’s a fruit of belonging to Him and it is your inheritance, forever! May you go in grace as you activate it anew today!
IF IT’S NOT YET GOOD, HE’S NOT YET DONE:
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
“The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5-6
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7
We know the world is broken and all things are not as they should be. We’ve cried many tears and suffered many laments. All is not yet good because we are not yet home. But since the instant of our Fall, our God has been on the scene as Rescuer and Redeemer. He brings beauty from ashes and turns mourning into dancing. If we could see reality as it truly is today, we would stand in awe, watching every broken thread of grief being masterfully woven into a tapestry of grace. He is making ALL THINGS NEW. Right now. In our brokenness, He is making us whole. He is refining our regrets, purifying our pain, and transforming our tears into eternal Kingdom hope. If it’s not yet good, take heart. He’s not yet done.
HE IS AT WORK IN WAYS YOU CANNOT SEE:
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Before you opened your eyes this morning, God had already thought more thoughts about you than the individual grains of sand on every seashore that has ever existed. And He calls every last one of those thoughts “precious” (see Psalm 139). Our God always lives to intercede for us and is always at work in the most mundane of details, to bring all things to the praise of His glory. There is no care you face too small to capture His heart, and no burden too big that He won’t carry completely. Wherever you are weary, He calls for you to let HIM take your burden and to give you rest. And whatever weight is “sitting” on you, He’s actively been at work for your best, way before you even knew it was a problem. He’s with you and He is moving.
HOPE IS ON THE WAY:
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope fully on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” 1 Peter 1:13
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying the sheaves of the harvest with them.” Psalm 126:5-6
“I am the Lord. Those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” Isaiah 49:23
“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
“Behold, I am coming soon.” Revelation 22:12
Left alone to my thoughts, I can get isolated and discouraged quickly. It is all too easy to fall into unspoken rejection narratives and orphan laments that are nothing more than what the Bible calls “vain imaginations.” Faced with all that is not working out, or even the potential things in my life that could go off the rails, I sometimes envision the worst. Fear, uncertainty, and doubt try to commandeer the airwaves of my thoughts and emotions, all without me ever stopping to ask the question, “But is it TRUE?” Whenever I will “be still,” I will see again that “He is God.” Whenever I will be vulnerable with the word of my testimony with other beloved sons and daughters of God, I step out of my own echo chamber and see the lies of the enemy fall. Here’s the truth wherever God is on the throne: Hope is NEVER lost. It is always, only, ever on the way.
YOU ARE YOUR BELOVED’S AND HE IS YOURS, FOREVER:
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become our high priest forever.” Hebrews 6:19-20
“No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26
The deepest cry of my heart, and yours — and the truest hope we can ever hope to carry is found here. Your God knows you. Whenever your heart tries to condemn you (and it will), He is GREATER than your heart. He lavishes His love upon you. He dances over you. He holds you and leads you. He comforts you and refines you. As a loving Father, He will never leave or forsake you. He alone is enough for you. And He has shattered every sentiment of separation, giving ALL of His heart to you, that you and I would be ONE with Him, even as He is ONE with the Father. And nothing can or will change that, ever. He is YOURS, Forever.
** Be Sure to Check Out Part 1 of this Blog Post for more amazing promises of HOPE!
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