CWW Week 17 - Day 6 - Hope

Scripture for the day.

Romans 8:24-25 (NKJV) 

24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Devotional.

When you were young, like many of us you hoped that one day you would have a new car. Then that day arrived and your hope had become a reality.

When the car arrived, there was no more need for that hope so it ceased to exist. That’s pretty clear to understand right?

You may have had a loved one diagnosed with a deadly disease. Your prayers and hopes were answered when the doctors pronounced that they were cured. Now healthy, you have your answered prayer and the hope for their survival fades as it’s clearly seen that your prayers were answered.

As a child of five, when I saw a huge plane fly over my house I was fixated on flying. It became my dream and passion as I hoped that one day I too would go cloud surfing. It happened, and then one hope fulfilled was replaced with another as I advanced slowly but surely to my dreamed for job.

There comes a time in our lives, and this seems more prevalent in men, when we come to a midlife turning point. A time of life adjustment and re-evaluation. It’s a time when careful pause is required. Hasty decisions that lead to disaster are often the outcomes of this perilous and vulnerable time.

For many of us, it seems in the worldly sense at least, that most of our hopes and dreams have been achieved so we ask ourselves the big question. What now?

When big questions like this are asked, we need to quietly listen for the right answers. We must also consider what we are praying for, and be prepared for the consequences of our prayers being answered. Remember that old saying? “ Be careful what you wish for.”

We have all heard the stories of people who have won earth shattering amounts of money in the lottery. All their wants now met and their dreams fulfilled they go on to become the victim of every scam. They lose friends and family and then lose all their wealth and end up penniless in a year.

It reminds me of the story of Moses and the children of Israel as they forged their way through the wilderness. They needed daily bread to survive. God gave them exactly what they needed every day, their daily bread, in the form of manna that would rain down each night. God made it so they would be nourished every day and met all of their dietary requirements. It was a wonderful and reliable system. They didn’t have storage or refrigeration and God knew that they could not be weighed down with mountains of bread so it arrived fresh every morning, just enough for that day.

But these petulant children were not happy and became complainers. Every day telling Moses that they were sick and tired of manna. God, being fed up with their constant gripes, sent them a flock of birds, thousands of birds every day, and the Israelites feasted on fresh meat. They gorged themselves and became sick. Too much of a good thing perhaps?

As we hoped for the new car, we awaited the arrival with perseverance as we saved every day to pay the price for our dream. The joy and anticipation of the new arrival that would change our life was palpable as each day brought us closer. Then the car arrives and after a year or so it becomes a costly chore to maintain and turns into another part of our ho-hum existence especially if we took a loan to pay for it.

Scientists have long searched for the secret to eternal life. The fountain of youth has to be out there somewhere doesn’t it? Billions are spent each year by people who are desperately seeking to last longer without realising the difference between lasting longer and living longer. Their perpetual sadness at ageing and their relentless pursuit of the secret to longevity has taken over their life and the difference between lasting and living becomes clearer to those watching on.

Jesus is coming again and it is very soon. We don’t know exactly when, but He is coming and every day we live we get closer to his arrival.

Have you ever asked why He doesn’t give us an ETA? The answer can only be that He is keeping us eager. He wants us to use the time wisely to develop our characters and also to bring others to the life boat station before the ship SS WORLD sinks. He wants all to survive also knowing that many won’t.

 Hope springs eternal is a truism that is hard to deny. He gives us a hope eternal and also gives us time to prepare.

Imagine if the hapless lottery winner knew in advance that they were going to win a huge prize in the not too distant future, and they used that time to prepare and educate themselves. To plan and make ready. How much better would their outcomes be?

That’s what God’s hope is all about. There is a reward for those who accept Christ, but because of the sinful nature of man, we must be prepared for the glory that awaits us.

The promise of eternal life in Heaven is beyond the comprehension of us all. The glory that awaits when we transition from merely lasting into really living is unimaginable. That hope in what is yet unseen can and should be the motivation to strive to live more like Jesus every day.

We are a work in progress but the end result is the foundation for the beginning of life eternal, and is well worth the time and effort. The side effects of this effort? Yes there are some but they are all good. In the preparation, or sanctification built on the justification of the cross, we can taste the fruits of the Spirit as we eagerly await His second coming. Who loses? Only evil.

Questions.

1. Do you think it might be time to prepare yourself for the promise?
2. Which rooms in your spiritual house do you need to tidy up in preparation for the arrival of the King?
3. What can you do today to start the cleaning process?

Prayer.

Dear Lord, Papa God.

I have realised that I am a work in progress. A real fixer-uperer. Papa as I approach this renovation work, I pray that You will provide me with a strong foundation and scaffolding on which to commence the work. Lord fill me with the greatest desire to do what You require. I need you Papa for without You there is no real purpose. Fill me afresh each day with your daily bread, is my prayer in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Enjoy your day with Jesus.

Graham Hood.