Experiencing Hope Part 4

I began to write about hope because for some time because I had been experiencing a lack of excitement about my future and had been content to live life without any real purpose. I am so glad that we can bring our frustrations to the Lord and allow Him to reveal Himself to us. I am so glad that the Holy Spirit leads and guides us into all truth (John 16:13) if we allow Him to change us. It was so exciting to understand the significance of hope and how the bible shows it to be equal to faith and love (1 Corinthians 13:13). As I have looked at many scriptures about hope my spirit has become alive and knowing the plans that He has for us is good and to give us a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Yesterday I listed the next 14 blogs I plan to write which take me to the end of January 2021. I was so encouraged by Ecclesiastes 9:4 which says that “Life is the season of hope”. This means that while I am still alive it is the time for me to experience hope in everything that I do. This truth is reinforced in Romans 4:18 which says: (Abraham) Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken ‘so shall your descendants be’ (Genesis 15:6). Despite the deadness of his own body, being about 100 years old and the deadness of Sarah’s womb he believed God”. This is what hope does – it is not limited by natural limitations – it keeps on declaring the promises of God because there is nothing too hard for our God.  I am reminded of a song that I used to sing many years ago, “Trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”. Romans 5:2 tells us to “Rejoice in hope of the glory of God”. This verse tells me that spiritual hope is a pleasant experience which is shown by being able to rejoice in our everyday life. As I look at what has changed in my outlook it is so important to be reminded of Romans 15:13 which says “Now may the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”. This verse encourages me to abound in hope – it is not gritting my teeth and being strong-willed but being full of the Holy Spirit which produces joy and peace which is such a contrast to the way of the world in our lives. I am so glad that when the enemy comes in like a flood to destroy our hope, the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19). It is peaceful to understand who holds my future and that He has everything in His control. As I conclude, I am so blessed the God of hope has given me such an unshakeable hope as I continue my life with the God of hope. The outcome of this is shown in 1John 3:3 which says: “And everyone who has this hope purifies himself, just as He is pure”. Living with hope makes us stand out in this dark world.