Hope in God

Feed your faith, and your fears will starve. -anonymous "church sign"
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28
For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. - 1 Peter 3:5-6

Allen Snapp from yesterday's sermon on Sarah's Hope (Genesis 20:1-13 and 1 Peter 3:5-6):

Hope in God fixes our eyes on God and his promises. We don't need to fix our eyes on the "all things" and figure out how they are working together for our good - we fix our eyes on God and trust that they are.

Hoping in God gives our character strength to be steady as you go, to do what God has called us to do. Do good and don't fear (1 Peter 3:6). Steady as you go.

The actions of those on the Titanic to avoid the iceberg actually probably contributed to them hitting it in the worst possible way, and made matters worse than if they did nothing. It's not just about what's happening to you and coming at you in your life. It's how you respond that either escalates or defuses the problem. Sarah's faith in God gave her strength to walk through trials in a way that glorified God. She kept doing the good God called her to do and she didn't give in to fear. And the Lord would speak that to you: do good and do not fear. Allow God to steady your soul. "Do not fear anything that is frightening" - it really is frightening, but you don't need to fear.

Our confidence never shifts to our growth in God, to our sanctification. Our confidence is always in the gracious undeserved power and blood of Jesus Christ shed for our sins. And that will always and ever be where our confidence lies. We never need his mercy less because of growth. When we clearly see our need for grace, we are able to give grace to others.

And who is this God, this Christ, in whom I am to hope? Colossians 1:15-20 describes for me:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

This is the One who is fully worthy of my hope and trust.

photo: the home I was made for,

where I will see the One I was made for

(December 2007)

Trials and the Blessing of God's Presence

Expect Trials to Multiply

Do not think that as you grow in grace your path will become smoother and the sky calmer and clearer. Quite the contrary. As God gives you greater skill as a soldier of the cross, He will send you on more difficult missions. As He more fully equips your ship to sail in storms, He will send you on longer voyages to more boisterous seas, so that you may honor Him and increase in holy confidence.
You would think that in Abraham's old age - after he had come to the land of Beulah, after the birth of Isaac, and especially after the expulsion of Ishmael - he would have had a time of rest. But "it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham" (Gen. 22:1). Let Abraham's story warn us to never plan on a rest from trials this side of the grave.
The trumpet still plays the notes of war. You cannot sit down and put the victory wreath on your head. You do not have a crown. You still must wear the helmet and carry the sword. You must watch, pray, and fight. Expect your last battle to be the most difficult, for the enemy's fiercest charge is reserved for the end of the day.

Lest that lead to discouragement and despair, Spurgeon reminds me that God is with me and so I may rejoice!

Blessed Beyond Measure

The greatest blessing God gives is His presence. If I could choose any of life's blessings, I certainly would not ask for wealth, because wealth cannot bring freedom from pain, concern, or anxiety. I certainly would not ask for popularity, because there is no rest for the world's leaders. My choice, my highest honor, would be to have God with me always.
When God is with us, there is no difference between Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace (Dan. 3:19) and a comfortable bed. It does not matter! We will be happy in either. If God is with us, if His divine love surrounds us, then we carry our own atmosphere and residence wherever we travel, and we can say with Moses, "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations" (Ps. 90:1). The individual who can say this is full of heaven, full of God, and blessed beyond measure. This is the privilege of all who truly believe in Jesus, of all who come out from the world, and of all who, like Abraham, live a life of faith (Gen. 12:4). Bow your head, believer, and let the Lord God pronounce this blessing, "I will bless you."
If you are sorrowing, suffering, weary, or burdened, receive this blessing from God's own mouth, "I will bless you."
If you are poor, despised, or slandered, this blessing is not shortened. Take it with you, and go on your way rejoicing.

(Thanks to my friend Teresa for giving me a copy of these.)

photo: home - November, 2007