Hope

Hope

Hebrews 11:1-2 NLT 

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

Day 197: Hope for what is to come

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

'For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. '

        Often in our walks we will come across this verse and wonder, really God, do you really know the future for us? Whenever we are in a sticky situation, are You sure God? Do You really know? When life hurts and the pain is fresh, really God? Do You? Yes, Yes, and Yes, He does know the plans for you. Notice how we do not really question God when times are good or prosperous… We just got a raise at work, really God? We were gifted an honor or an award, really God? It is funny how the only time we really question God is when life is happening around us that we disapprove of or do not understand.

         This is particularly interesting in where our hope comes from. Hope is an essential component of learning how to see 359˚ of beauty in your life everywhere. You have to anchor yourself in something far greater than yourself and KNOW that God does have a plan for even the worst of situations. There is so much about our responses to these situations in life that matters more than the situation itself. We will be tested, refined, and transformed through our walks with Jesus Christ as long as we have hope.

         Hope is an essential progression of faith. We have discussed this before but why else would scripture say in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” There is a natural progression that comes first through the grace of Jesus to grant us the ability to have faith (which is our belief), that leads to Hope (in in our future), which in turn results in love (Love being all love rooted in Jesus). As stated above, God knows the plans He has for us if we will pursue Him with our whole hearts.

         This is further clarified for us in Jeremiah 29:12-14: “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” With scriptures like this future promise upon seek Jesus with our whole hearts we know that we have a future and a hope!

         I said this is essential in being able to see 359˚ of beauty lifestyle, because it really is. We have to have and maintain hope in every circumstance that there is good to be found in whatever is going on. If we simply focus on seeking God’s beauty, we will see it in abundance because it surrounds every piece of our lives.

Dear All-knowing Father,

         Thank You that You have plans for us in our lives. Thank You that You did not just create us to wander aimlessly through our lives and that You created us with the purpose of sharing our lives with others, so that they may come to know You like we do. Jesus, let us honor Your work and bring Glory to Your name in this world. We are beyond thankful that You grant us hope in things seen and unseen in our lives and we are blessed beyond our measure to even be considered worthy of Your hope in us as sinners. Thank You for seeing through all that is within us to what we can become in our futures. Lord, You are good. In Jesus Christ’s holy name we pray, amen.