Hope Is The Forerunner of joy.
“I have pitched my tent in the land of hope.”
Acts 2:26 The Message.
My thoughts and comments today are about, “Hope Fuels the Soul.”
Hope is both gift and lift to the human spirit. Hope is more than a feeling, deeper than emotions. Hope is a conviction. You can live without many things, but you will not live well, nor live as long without hope. Hope is the forerunner of joy. Hope is life-giving and doubt-destroying. Hope fuels the soul. In contrast, hopelessness is crushing to one’s heart and spirit.
Hope is as essential to your soul as breath is to your body. Both are vital, restorative, and life-enriching. You will live better and more fully each day by finding a reason for hope. The Bible describes this hope we have as being, “like a strong and trustworthy anchor for our soul.” Hebrews 6:19 NLT. Hope is not wishful thanking. Hope is a firm conviction of God’s character and faithfulness.
Hope does not mean that all will be as you wish. Hope rests in the truth that everything will be according to God’s will and wisdom, and always accompanied by His abounding love and sufficient grace. I remember when my Mom suffered a massive, cerebral hemorrhage and was not expected to live through the day. The neurosurgeon could offer us no hope. That dreadful day stretched to difficult weeks. We could not dare to believe for much more than each precious minute.
I remember well the morning when our love for her was joined by hope. After weeks unable to do anything for herself, and contrary to every medical prognosis, and beyond natural explanation, she regained consciousness. For her remaining weeks, days were filled with love, laughter, and memories. God graciously had given our family renewed hope. And hope does not disappoint. Read Romans 5:3-5 JB Phillips.
In the New Testament, King David is quoted, “I have pitched my tent in the land of hope!” Acts 2:26 The Message. I love David’s affirmation of faith. What a statement of trust with courage and confidence. Where is your tent planted? Dread or hope? Doubt or trust? Sorrow or joy? Regret or gratitude? Fear or faith? Everyone lives somewhere. Your circumstance need not determine your address or destiny.
David chose to live, “in the land of hope.” When God, or others, go looking for you, where will you be found – in the land of doubt, despair, fear, discouragement, or self pity? Are you dreading the future, or making plans with hope? You can let your circumstance determine where you dwell, or you can choose to pitch your tent in such a place and in such a way that every morning the first reality you see is the face of God and a brighter future.
David expressed his experience this way, “I saw God before me at all time. Nothing can shake me; He’s right by my side. I’m glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope.” Acts 2:25-26 The Message. Keep hope alive in your heart.
Pitch your tent where you want your future to be found. Yours and my future rest in the providence of God. Paul prayed for the Roman Christians, “May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV. His prayer is my prayer for you. The God of hope; what a wonderful description of our Father God.
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16 NKJV. How does God give you god hope? “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5 NIV.
My prayer for you today is for your future be filled with day-brightening hope.
EDL Communications 2019
Website and archives: allenrandolph.com