The joy of life is to live with hope (expectancy) – BE HAPPY and SOW HAPPINESS
Quintus Heine – edited and expanded by Dr MM
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.Romans 5:3-5
There are many people who struggle with many crises and trials and wonder how they can possibly have any hope. All they see is the suffering and the difficulty of the trials they are going through. They do not know how to hope anymore. The Lord understands this, because He explains in Romans that hope does not come easily. Hope grows when you cling to God in faith (trust) during any trials you experience, no matter how bad things may be. The more you persevere, the stronger your faith will be, and the stronger your faith, the stronger your hope (expectancy). So it is only when you consistently and persistently believe, despite your trials, that hope grows stronger. In Romans 5:5 the Lord says, “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,who has been given to us.”
What does hope do to you? The hope in God never disappoints us, because God fullfills all His promises. In 2 Corinthians 1:20 the Holy Spirit teaches us through His inspired Word of God that Jesus Christ is the ‘yes’ to all the promises of God.
Hope is the reward of persevering faith (trust in God). Even though your trials may not become less or easier, hope gives you a new view of life. The message of hope, that Jesus died, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven for you ….makes you someone who has a life purpose i.e to live in His power and for Him. You are energised by the knowledge that you are the target of God’s love, forgiveness, blessings and life to bring about H.O.P.E. “…as it is in heaven” Hope gives believers a joy that others do not understand. You learn a. to look at your own circumstances through other eyes and b. to keep you eyes on Jesus the beginner and the finisher of not only your faith (trust in the living and true God ) but also your hope (expectancy). Hope gives you joy!
Whatever trials you may be going through, take courage, believe, rejoice and never give up. And then the hope in you will grow. The hope in Jesus Christ does not disappoint us because He is alive. He is risen from the dead, ascended to heaven and is seated on the right hand of His Father until all His enemies are under His feet.!
Always remember that the final H.O.P.E. SCORE is already on the score board of history (His Story). Let us allow JESUS to live IN and THROUGH us today and everyday until His words “…as it is in heaven” of the Our Father’s prayer is realised. Let us pray His prayer which He taught us to pray with hope (expectancy) and faith (trusting Him) that H.O.P.E. * Heaven On Planet Earth will eventually be a reality. In the meantime experience a touch of heaven on planet earth in your personal life, your marriage, your family, your finances, your work and your community! BE HAPPY, guilt-free, debt-free and stress-free
Prayer: Lord, please help me to believe (trust You and Your promises) more and more every day so that my hope (expectancy) will grow ever stronger. Amen