Hope: the expectation that something good will happen.
Thankfully, the past year has been a blessing of uneventfulness. A time to catch my breath. A time to move towards being re-centered and re-charged.
But God knows that hard times are inevitable. Through his word He gives me a glimpse of what will be, so that I will know He loves me. He provides hope…
God’s chosen people have turned away from him. The Lord is angry. Disaster is coming. Yet, he tells of a future:
“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Jesus has just been arrested. Disaster is coming. Yet, he tells of a future:
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64)
I see that in both scenarios, the immediate situation did not change. Israel would still endure the consequences of its disobedience. Jesus would still experience pain and death, his followers devastated by what they were seeing happen. Yet in the midst of these, God spoke of the future when Jesus will reign forever.
Dear Lord, You are the giver of hope. The great hope of eternal life in the Kingdom of Jesus. When times are tough, help me to remember what you have shown me today: that I will always have Jesus. Bury this truth deep into my heart so that it may sprout and grow and blossom.
Diona
Sixty-six books in a year 