“But if we hope for what we
do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
I'm not good at waiting.
But, my hope in the Lord gives me patience that is beyond my human tendency. As
much as the Lord has blessed me, I'm fully confident that I can't even imagine
the good things he has in store for me. So while I wait, I try to stay busy;
busy loving my Father in heaven and sharing his grace with others.
Matthew
9:21
“[A desperate and lonely
woman who had been ill for years came to Jesus for healing.] She said to
herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
The woman who said this to
herself knew ostracism and loneliness because of her 12 year bout with an
illness that made her unclean under Jewish law. She was imprisoned in isolation
because of this condition. Just as Jesus freed her from her prison (vs. 22), he
longs to free you from yours as well. What holds you captive?
Jesus longs to give you freedom through five
gifts: 1) the Scripture to help you know God's will, 2) your surrender to his
lordship, 3) cleansing from your sin and guilt, 4) the gift of the Holy Spirit
to empower you, and 5) a family of brothers and sisters in Christ to support
you and hold you accountable. These are God's five precious keys to freedom.
Jeremiah
9:24
"... I am the LORD, who
exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I
delight," declares the LORD.”
Two truths are equally
crucial for us to understand in this passage. First, God is kind, just and
righteous. Second, he delights in these things when he sees them in us. So what
does your life stand for? Let's be like our Father and take on the lifestyle of
loving kindness, the cause of justice for all, and the character of
righteousness.
Why? Because we should have
no greater joy than to bring delight to the Father!
Psalm
5:11
“But let all who take refuge
in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”
Our hope is in the LORD! He
is the basis of our security and the reason for our joyful songs! He is our
protection and hope! He is the reason we rejoice!
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