Posted By Wanda on January 14, 2009

Before taking turns opening our gifts at Christmas 2008, I discussed with our family the importance of gifts that aren’t bought with money such as love, kindness, honesty, etc.  I asked each person to share what gift they were thankful for.  My sister mentioned hope.  I’ve pondered on her answer since that day and have to say it gave me hope to be able to hope!

As the media bombards our homes with messages of hopelessness and despair, I have to say be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.  (Psalm 31:24) 

The hope that we can have is based on God and the promises He has given us.  It is based upon the unchanging character and the immeasurable love of God.  Romans 5:5 reminds us that hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.  Somehow the ironic thing is that our hope grows greater when our character is tested and grows stronger.  In the verses prior to verse 5 is states that (we) glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

As I grew up, I developed core beliefs that were formed by the influence of my parents and those around me.  I distinctly remember Dad sharing at so many Christian Cowboy services about the hope that lieth within him.  (He talked in King James language sometimes!)  Even though at times, as a teenager it would embarrass me when he spoke in King James, I knew he really did have a hope that was within him… a hope that did not disappoint.  Dad raised us to always look at the bright side and to find the good in the situations but even more than that, he trusted in a God who was more-than-enough, One who would always find a way of escape and deliver us out of the difficult situations we’d find ourselves in.  1 Peter 1:15 reminds us to always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…

Fifteen years of marriage, although to some that is not a long time, is time enough to be able to look back and see God’s faithfulness through the storms.  This has developed perseverance, character and then hope in my life. We started out in a rented two bedroom house that seemed to let more wind through the electrical outlets than open windows sometimes.  After seven years, we moved onto our own piece of land and bought an old, small house trailer that was a roof over our head but not much more.  Six years later, we moved a three bedroom 1350 square foot bungalow onto a brand new wood basement and no more do we hear the wind howling or feel the breeze blowing through the walls.  What is not mentioned in this history are the many scriptures that I stood on, confessed and believed to bring us to this place of blessing and comfort.   God has seen us through times of building our lives, physical and spiritual.

If our mind is allowed to think on, confess and believe in the fear of crime, extreme poverty and economic collapse that is bombarding us, we will become hopeless and helpless.  However, life does not need to be hopeless for any of us who choose to go against the negativity.  Abraham believed that he would become the father of many nations.  Contrary to hope (contrary to ordinary human expectation), in hope (in expectation that God would fulfill His promises) Abraham  believed!! (Romans 4:18)  Abraham received his promise by hoping in The God of More-that-enough and the promises He made to him!!  The story of Abraham was written for us so that we can have hope, too! 

Two thousand and nine may be a year of great change and instability around us.  Yet, we have a hope that does not disappoint.  God is never-changing.  He is constant.  He does what He says and will carry out His Word.  We serve a God who is More-than-Enough! Have a great 2009!

Posted in the Front Porch