The theme for this quarter’s PCC Scroll is Hope in Action.
The Vine’s Dictionary defines hope as, “favorable and confident expectation.” According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, hope is, “trustful expectation, particularly with reference to the fulfillment of God’s promises.” The opposite of hope is discouragement, hopelessness, and dismay. An online dictionary defines action as, “the act or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim.” The opposite of action is inaction.
In the NIV, Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” In the NIV, Job 13:15 says, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.” Romans 8:24 says, “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” For more scriptures on hope, read Romans 5:2-5, Romans 12:12, Romans 15:4, and Romans 15:13.
Hope is one of the three virtues along with faith and love. One of the symbols used to symbolize hope is an anchor. It is easy to imagine having our hope anchored in the Lord. When we hope, we place our trust in the promises of God despite what we see or don’t see. We rely on the power of the Holy Ghost, not our own strength, intelligence, or sight.
Our hope is what keeps us from discouragement, hopelessness, and dismay. When times get rough, our hope that God will take care of our needs sustains us. And, more importantly, God will keep His promises to us.
Two great examples of men who held on to their hope in God are Abraham and Job. Abraham looked for God to fulfill His promise of a son even though the circumstances did not look promising. Job hoped in God even though his life was falling apart around him. Job’s testimony of, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him,” is a powerful example to believers.
In Psalm 130:7, the writer encourages Israel to hope in the Lord. Our hope is in the promises given to us by God. From the verse in Jeremiah, we know that God promises that His plan is to prosper us and not to harm us. His plan is to give us hope.
God’s Word is filled with promises to the believers. Take these promises to heart and have hope. If God promised it, it will come to pass. But our hope takes action on our part. We have to prepare for the promises of God that we are expecting.
What are you hoping for? We invite you to practice Hope in Action by naturally preparing for spiritual promises God has made you.
No comments:
Post a Comment