Author: astherainandsnow

“The word of the Lord came to [Elijah]: ‘Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith…’ And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and… evening, and he drank from the brook…

“Then he was afraid, and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, and left his servant there. He himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life.’ He lay down and slept. And an angel touched him and said, ‘Arise and eat.’ He looked, and there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. He ate and drank and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, ‘Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.’ And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

“There he came to a cave and lodged in it. The word of the Lord came to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He said, ‘I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away…’  The Lord said, ‘Go,.. and when you arrive, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria…  I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.’” 1 Kings 17:2-3,6; 19:3-10,15,18

The greater Ahab’s wickedness and longer his reign, the smaller God’s faithful prophet felt. Lonely obedience flirted with despondency as Elijah stood up for God’s condemning truth. Into this vale on the soul the Lord tenderly appeared. With nourishment. Rest. Ongoing purpose. Reminders that he was not alone. There were others so faithful and part of God’s beloved number. (1 Kings 18:17-19:2)

In the morass of moral wickedness and cultures fractured with dissension, individuals can feel quite alone. Standing up for Jesus sets us apart, and sometimes we’re misunderstood and ostracized. Add in competition at work, strained relationships, or a caustic home life and isolation enshrouds the soul. We feel no one understands, no one knows our angst or yearning or sorrow.

But the Lord does! He’s intimately acquainted with all our ways and comprehends the wilderness, every thought and hankering! He stands ready to commune, lift, and supply! In these shadowed places He reveals His all-encompassing light that we wouldn’t need or seek otherwise. He is all-sufficient, His the true balm. (Psalm 68:19; 139:1-3; Jeremiah 8:22; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Hebrews 4:12)

Where do I feel most alone? In a physical or emotional trauma no one understands? A lonely marriage? A grief with a situation or loved one I cannot share? A bereft season of mourning loss? A new community where I’m not known and no one cares? A strong stance for righteousness where all me around are compromising? The fall brought separation, yet Jesus redeems. Will I embrace His encouragement and fellowship? (Genesis 3:1-13,23-24)

Lord, help me maintain spiritual communion and meaningful connection with Your people so Your goodness is magnified.

“When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.^‘ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.'” Matthew 8:1-4

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Genesis 18:14

“I know that you can do all things,
    and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2

The leper’s was in an impossible situation, humanly speaking. He was riddled with an incurable disease that brought ridicule and fear, and ostracized him from society. But he knew this Jesus was different. He had a compassion that crossed human boundaries, and an authority over sicknesses and demons that was other-worldly, and irresistibly inviting. The leper approached with reverence and startling, bold confidence, and found his Healer absolutely willing. (Matthew 4:23-24; 7:28-29)

If You Will, You Can. What a potent combination of belief. This helpless man knew Jesus could help. Absolutely He was able. But knowing himself to have nothing to contribute, and no right to claim, he could appeal only to Jesus’s merciful will.

Isn’t this true for us? We are born helpless, thoroughly diseased by sin and without hope. But God, who looks on us in undeserved but unabashed love, sets out to save us and heal our souls. He who was rejected by men accepts sinners by grace who approach in humble faith. (Isaiah 53:5-6; Romans 3:23-25; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-9)

When we pray, would we first acknowledge what God can do? His attributes are limitless and His power infinite. By praising Him we are reminded that He can do all things and does all things well. This heightens our worship and enlarges our asking. Then we seek His will, surrender ourselves wholly in order to know it, and submit to it for full realization of His purposes. When our desire is the combination of His ‘can’ and ‘will,’ He is most glorified. (Matthew 6:10; Mark 7:37; Romans 12:1-2)

Have we gotten into a habit of dictating to God how we want Him to behave? Of telling Him what we need and when and how, and of brusque entitlement to all we want? Would we change our mindset by focusing on Him instead of us? How might we learn to approach Him humbly, acknowledge and fully confess our helplessness and need? What needs to change in our penchant to control for us to seek only to magnify God’s ability and grace? By His transforming power, we can begin to approach Him differently, but we must be willing.

Are there areas we will not let the Lord expose and touch and heal? What fear or pride or hard stubbornness holds us back? When will we bring these to the cross for His cleansing, freeing, healing? Jesus lovingly died for our sins and our resistance. When will we kneel to be made clean?

Father, align my cannots with Your cans, and teach me Your will so I seek Your best and glory in all my desire.

“The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate  and said, ‘Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise.”  Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, “He has risen from the dead,” and the last fraud will be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard…

“Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.  And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it… The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.’

“While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place.  And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers  and said, ‘Tell people, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.” (Matthew 27:62-66; 28:1-2,5-6,11-15)

Enmity and fear kept the religious leaders on edge around the crucifixion of the enemy they’d hoped to extinguish forever. Too many strange things had happened they needed to suppress, so conniving ruled mindset and behavior. If they could just cover up their motives and Jesus’s unusual death, they could squelch rumors, but nothing they instituted could hold down His promises and power. His resurrection would uncover what they hoped never to disclose. (Matthew 27:50-54)

Self-focus, jealousy, and fear yield a warped sense of truth. But as sure as Jesus rose from the dead, He will in His time uncover deceit and lay all things bare. Man’s best laid plans come to naught when determined against the Lord. The Way and Truth is inconsistent with our scheming, and will surely find us out.

What secret habits or corners of our minds do we attempt to keep closed and dark? Do we protect hiding places for disdain, bitterness, or revenge, thinking them undetected? Where are we trying to camouflage sin with excuses or justification? What we attempt to conceal reveals whether we value reputation, approval, or money more that truth that liberates. (John 8:32)

Truth will burst forth one day. The longer we cover it up the more misery we invite. Would we respond to God’s Spirit and confess now to enjoy the blessing of forgiveness, or face shame and judgment? (Psalm 32:1-8; 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Lord, keep me honest with You daily, welcoming Your light, mercy, and freedom.

“Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6

“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.” Proverbs 15:16

“Thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’” Isaiah 30:15

“Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Solomon, having carried God-given wisdom through years of political rule, inquisitive discovery, alliances and toil, understood the value of being still and quiet. His restless runaway heart had indeed brought sin and trouble, yet perspective taught how good was the antidote. He understood the wisdom of slowing down, turning off, being still, guarding margin, and keeping quiet. (1 Kings 3:10-13; 4:21,29-34; 8:22-23,27; 11:1-2

Every day parades a myriad of choices and voices. Notifications click and call, responsibilities tug and nag, belongings pester for maintenance, messages vie for concentration, priority, and input. The clamor of life makes for anything but quiet hours. But what if we put off the noise and instead determined times to keep quiet? To meditate on the Lord, get away alone, walk and pray, or listen to cheery bird chatter or the wind fingering leaves?

Is it my habit to get riled up in spirit and never silence my soul? What social frenzy, busyness, or incessant sense of urgency need I surrender to the Lord? Where have I jumped into a predicament or conversation and made mayhem by interjecting words better held back? Am I given to bragging, asserting rights, complaining, or gossiping? In what areas would it benefit others, God’s honor, and me to silence my lips? Is it my practice to do all the talking when I approach the Lord on His throne? What awe, wonder, humility, and new insight into His majesty am I missing by not hushing? (Psalms 23:2; 131:1-2; 141:3; Ecclesiastes 5:1; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Luke 9:28-35; 1 Peter 3:4)

How much better private worship, relationships, and personal well-being would be if we learned to keep quiet. If we ask, the Lord will identify devices, responsibilities, habits, and worries to be silenced with His help. If we are willing, He will effect change.

“Jesus, I am resting, resting
in the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
of thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon thee,
as thy beauty fills my soul,
for by thy transforming power,
thou hast made me whole.

O how great thy lovingkindness,
vaster, broader than the sea!
O how marvelous thy goodness
lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in thee, Beloved,
know what wealth of grace is thine,
know thy certainty of promise
and have made it mine.

Simply trusting thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold thee as thou art,
and thy love, so pure, so changeless,
satisfies my heart;
satisfies its deepest longings,
meets, supplies its ev’ry need,
compasseth me round with blessings:
thine is love indeed.” ~Jean Sophia Pigott (1876)

Father, develop in me a quiet spirit that adores You, reflects Your peace to all around, and lifts You high.

“And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

“On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.  And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,  let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’”

^“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:1-13

His words were different, igniting faith, changing people, and stoking rising opposition. This same Peter who had waffled between bold pronouncement and skittish denial was transformed and permanently empowered by Christ’s indwelling Spirit. Not only were his witness and actions bold, but they portrayed and pronounced the name and power of Jesus Himself. (Matthew 16:15-16; 26:69-75)

When the Lord implants His name and power we have responsibility to put them on show and to work for His sake. If we proclaim His name, our actions should bear the imprint of His grace, our attitudes reflect His character, and speech bring Him honor. Any who observe or are affected by our bold witness should be astonished at Jesus.

Have we grown smug and accustomed to selfishness with God-given gifts? Where are we tempted to take credit ourselves for what Christ is working in and through us? He will not share His glory, and expects that we accept and exercise His gifts humbly and generously for His glory and others’ benefit. (Isaiah 42:8; 48:11; Romans 12:3-8)

When do we take time daily with Jesus? What evidence of compassion, gratitude, wisdom, purposeful speech, or courageous ministry makes it obvious to others? What difference could there be if we became less and acted solely in His name and power and watched Him work? What greater glory could He receive? (John 3:30; Galatians 2:20)

Lord, fill me with Your Spirit to live, breathe, and speak your word with all boldness, and move Your hand in response so Your power is magnified and Your name exalted. (Acts 4:29-31)

“Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?’  He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, ‘Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.’  One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?’  Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.  Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.’  So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.” John 6:5-13

“You say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:17-20

The disciples thought they hadn’t enough, and the Laodiceans thought their wealth was ample- for themselves. Jesus upended both insufficiency and self-sufficiency to turn His people to Him as the all-sufficient Source for the spread of His goodness. His message is consistent: He is the giver of all, and supplies and multiplies His measure for His kingdom purposes. (James 1:17)

Our Lord’s thoughts, ways, and sights are far different from ours. Often what we view with limited vision is narrow and provincial. My troubles are the biggest, my challenges the worst, my responsibilities the weightiest, my needs the most urgent, and my self-determined boundaries better not be crossed. In other words, life is all about me. But when Spirit works and the Lord of multiplication and wide living enters, He opens the door to new possibilities. He pesters with the inner heart to transform our motivation and broaden desire. He grants new filters for new spiritual perspective that takes in new horizons for the spread of His truth, light, and sustenance. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Are we living timidly, doubting God’s promises, pessimistic about His goodness, afraid to step out in faith? Are we living narrowly, avoiding risk, hoarding resources, guarding against lavish giving? What fears and selfishness is He calling us to confess? What new vistas for contribution and service might He open if we answered His call to deeper trust and intimacy?

Lord, daily fit me with Your eternal perspective so I see with Your possibilities, live generously, and serve zealously for Your sake and glory.

“Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord,
    and whom you teach out of your law,
to give him rest from days of trouble,
    until a pit is dug for the wicked.
For the Lord will not forsake his people;
    he will not abandon his heritage;
for justice will return to the righteous,
    and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Who rises up for me against the wicked?
    Who stands up for me against evildoers?
If the Lord had not been my help,
    my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
When I thought, “My foot slips,”
    your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
    your consolations cheer my soul…
But the Lord has become my stronghold,
    and my God the rock of my refuge.” Psalm 94:12-19,22

Discipline chafes, troubles pelt and assail, and rest can be elusive. The psalmist flirts with feeling abandoned, forsaken, overwhelmed by these situations and the pressures and ubiquitousness of evil. But with every hint of pain or turmoil, the Lord’s constancy meets him. With every ouch, there’s the balm of blessing. With every near slip, his God grabs hold. It is his very struggles that magnify the goodness and steadfastness of His God. (Hebrews 12:11)

The Lord never abandons His people! He is our present help in trouble, no matter what shakes or is at stake! He is on our side to defend, advocate, redeem, and love without fail! When our cares are many and weighty and seemingly unending, His consolations are more, and cheer us! Will we look up from our circumstances to welcome their benediction? (Psalm 46:1-3; Romans 8:31-39)

What cares, what bitter angst, personality rubs, longstanding shame, weakness, ceaseless opposition or pressure or ungodly desires, can we bring to our Lord for His handling? Where do we need, and will we choose to take, the comfort He offers? Would we exercise faith this day to rest in the stronghold that is Christ and take relief in His calvary-won consolations?

“Trust Him when thy wants are many;
  Trust Him when thy friends are few;
And the time of swift temptation
  Is the time to trust Him too.

Trust Him when thy soul is burdened
  With the sense of all its sin;
He will speak the word of pardon,
  He will make thee clean within.

Trust Him for the grace sufficient,
  Ever equal to thy need;
Trust Him always for the answer,
  When in His dear name you plead.

Trust Him for the grace to conquer,
  He is able to subdue;
Trust Him for the power for service;
  Trust Him for the blessing too.

Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee,
  Trust Him when thy strength is small,
Trust Him when to simply trust Him
  Seems the hardest thing of all.

Trust Him; He is ever faithful;
  Trust Him, for His will is best;
Trust Him, for the heart of Jesus
  Is the only place of rest.

Trust Him, then, through cloud or sunshine,
  All thy cares upon Him cast,
Till the storm of life is over,
  And the trusting days are past.” ~Lucy Bennett (1850-1927)

Father, help me secure every care under Your grace-bought consolation and within Your love, so You are exalted and blessed.

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
    to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
    and your faithfulness by night,
to the music of the lute and the harp,
    to the melody of the lyre.
For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
    at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

How great are your works, O Lord!” Psalm 92:1-5

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord!
    Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100

“This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Many of the psalms are songs of gladness, artistically composed and joyfully sung as praise to the Lord. They recite His deeds, love, grace, and goodness, and that focus on God elicits gladness within that wells up to come out. All God is and does serves to make the wondering heart glad, and we determine how to express our response.

In daily routine, are we more prone to griping or gladness? When faced with opposition or difficulty, or an ornery family member or colleague, do we default quickly to grouse and complain? How would interactions and attitudes be different if we chose instead to give thanks for all God has done and is doing in the situation? When we get fixated on imperfect works of others or personal failures, we can easily spiral into fussing, blaming, criticizing, even self-loathing. Pondering God’s providence and what He might be teaching or orchestrating in the situation illuminates divine possibilities and raises hope.

What can we implement by way of discipline or accountability to enhance delight in our Lord and more regularly express praise? When will we recount God’s works until they make us glad? What poor choices of input, perspective, and words can we exchange for uplifting ones? Grouchy moods are excuses to make others miserable and are never justifiable in light of the Lord’s goodness. In contrast, a heart fixed on Christ cannot stay gloomy. (Colossians 3:8-10,12-17)

What do we allow to dampen gladness of heart and speech? No circumstance is out of God’s view, no pain beyond His love, no troubles too great for His strength. He made us, works for us, and reigns over all. Be glad!

“Rejoice, the Lord is King:
Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing,
And triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns,
The God of truth and love;
When He has purged our stains,
He took his seat above;
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail,
He rules o’er earth and heav’n;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus giv’n:
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!” ~Charles Wesley (1744)

Amen!

“It is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going… to possess.” Deuteronomy 32:47

“The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 119:7-11

“We thank God… that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

The scriptures themselves attest to the reality of their power and usefulness for all of life. God’s word, wholly inspired and without error, is complete and alive and ours for revelation of the Almighty God and rule of life. In His word we discover who He is and how He interacts with man, and by His word we are instructed, warned, sanctified, protected, and bolstered by promises. His word works out His holy, good purposes. (Psalm 119:11; John 17:17; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:18-19)

Yet, fickle man goes after many strange words. We tune in, turn on, and open up tomes of words that entertain or inform, but neither develop the soul nor feed nor direct the spirit within. Whom we listen to and what we read tells much about what we value most: God or man. Assessing our time, concentration, and allegiances helps us discern our grounding.

What priority has God’s word in our daily routine, and what difference is it making in our thoughts, attitudes, and actions? For information and direction, do we digest more commentary on a snippet of Scripture, or the actual words of God? How are we availing ourselves of its intimate work, and what is the evidence in our character and reactions?

“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you He hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.” ~George Keith (1787)

Lord, keep me delighting in Your word and yielding to its sway, that You be praised.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,..

“To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf.” Colossians 1:1-7

Paul greets the saints and faithful brothers by extending grace and peace, embracing them with his words. He then continues his blessing of them by reminding them of his constant thoughts, thankfulness, and prayer on their behalf. He commends them for their faith in Christ Jesus and their love for the saints because of their hope in heaven. Once the Lord planted hope in Paul, his life passion was to see that others knew and lived its fruits also. Grace and peace, gratitude and love, fruitfulness and understanding and serving as an example, all were borne of hope in Christ, all a gift of His immeasurable grace and favor.

Ah! Hope that is sure and unshakable changes hearts, defines and refines purpose, and infuses God’s people with the ingredients that build the Body! Hope ignites faith and love! Indeed, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the outgrowth of the certain hope Jesus has initiated for us on the cross and secured for us in heaven. Without hope and the promise of what is to come, there would be no substance or object or motivation of faith. When exercised, it is evidenced in good works that foster growth and joy among God’s people and spread the fragrance of Christ in the world. (2 Corinthians 2:15; Hebrews 11:1; James 2:17-18)

How does our hope measure? This is not empty wish or human ‘hope-for,’ but a guaranteed promise of life eternal with our Savior. Hope based on our desire or effort is not substantial, but hope grounded in Christ’s finished work is solid and sure. Do we need to elevate our thinking about the hope promised in the Bible? What attitude of self-righteous deserving need we surrender in order to take hold of the hope Jesus offers? How might it transform our outlook going forward?

In this life we groan with longing for a glorified earth, glorified bodies and minds. Troubles remind us this world is not our home, but troubles met with hope find comfort in pain and spiritual energy to persevere. Hope distills all that is presently difficult in the dew of promise of what will certainly come. Will we choose to live and love in hope’s light and joy? How can we express tangible hope to a hurting world? (Romans 8:18-25)

God, fill me with joy and peace in believing so I abound in hope, to Your praise. (Romans 15:13)