Saturday, May 26, 2012

Jesus, My Hope!



O Lord, you alone are my hope. I've trusted you, O LORD, from childhood. Psalm 71:5

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.  Psalm 62:5

David, a man after God’s heart, was jealous. He could not understand why people who don’t love God prosper while those who honor God were facing hardship, and David said, “When I thought about this it was too painful for me.” Think about it for a second, does it make sense to you that people who have no sense of love, dedication or commitment, those who make fun of you for going to church, or for waiting on God to meet that special someone, to get the perfect job, and to buy your first home, those people are married, or switching girlfriends/boyfriends on a regular basis. They own the apartment you are renting and unable to pay for. They enjoy excellent health, while you have been dealing with various health challenges. It just doesn’t seem fair, does it? David says, “They are blessed, they have more than their heart can wish” David continues, “I just can’t take it.” And God says, “You are looking at them at the wrong time. You are looking at them in the morning. It’s morning in their lives. Like in nature in the morning the flowers bloom, but when the hot sun starts beating down, they wither and die.”

Friend, there is no need to be jealous, David realized that and he saw the light later on and he admitted in Psalm 73. One day, you too, will come to the sunrise of your life. Every moment, every sacrifice, and all challenges are bringing you closer to that sunrise. What good is money? What good is power? What good is a great relationship? What good is any of it when the sun goes down?  What we hope for apart from God can be wonderful, positive and life but what if it doesn't come to pass?  What if we never get it? What do we do then? Do we go crazy? You see, hope in God never disappoint. Friend, you should focus on Christ. He went to prepare a place for you. If you think those who don’t love the Lord are having a great time now, you should see what the righteous are going to enjoy in heaven. 

There are people who rejected Christ and yet still enjoying His mercy and goodness but there will be a time when it will all come to an end. They will know no more mercy and grace. They will know the wrath of God, while we enjoy His love. What else do you need when you have Jesus? You have His peace (financial, marital). When you have Jesus, you have someone to love you unconditionally (will never leave you), you have someone to own you (handle all your challenges). When you have Jesus, you have total acceptance. Your days of getting rejected are for ever gone, you now have acceptance. When you have Jesus, you have someone who will be able to find you in the midst of your darkest hour; in your deepest loneliness, you will have someone to comfort you. Psalm 23:3 says, when you have God, you have someone to restore your soul. Glory! The hurt, pain, hardship, rejection, loneliness, are all temporary. 

Friend, don’t worry that you haven’t come across all that is in store for you. The joy of the fact that you are a child of God should be present in your life. That joy should remain in you until the appointed day when you are with your savior face to face. Now the world may not know it, but you have something that can’t be taken away. You have a seat in the kingdom of God, and if you are in the middle of a storm right now, don’t worry. You are not alone; Psalm 23: 4 assures us that He is with us. Those who have God have it all, and the best is yet to come. 

"No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame" (Psalm 25:3)


Praise the Lord!