The past few weeks we have been looking at some keys to victory as we journey through our trials.  

Today the focus is on hope ~ expressed as the cry of my heart to my Papa King.

 Some days all I can do is just lift my gaze to you Father.  Some days I have no words, no clear thoughts. Only your word speaks loudly within my heart.  Your thoughts clear my vision and become my focus. The thoughts that roll around in my head that I can’t sort out, seem then so unimportant.

It is on those days, Father I am thankful. Thankful you know my heart better than I do; you know the end of my thoughts before the first one can flit through my mind.  You are amazing in your love and knowledge of me and for me.  Again, Lord all I can say is I am thankful.

Hanging Onto Hope

Some days Lord, I feel I am hanging onto hope with just a single thread.  Some days, I am afraid the thread may break because of how tightly I am clinging.

Thank you for protecting my hope and encircling it within the promises of your word.  Thank you for faith that grows as hope rises and swells.

I know you hear us as we enthusiastically sing, ‘He’s got the whole world in His hands’, but when our world is in a place of uncertainty, nothing but knowing we are the one you love gives me peace. You are the solid rock on which Bruce and I stand hand in hand.

You know Bruce just had his latest blood test to determine his PSA count.  The Dr. said it was perfect. You said you have done a perfect and complete work in him. Why do I worry and waste time fretting when all my energies ought to be in trusting you? You who said you are faithful. I believe you and that’s all that matters to you.

We have yet to see the radiologist/oncologist in March.  He will need another blood test just prior to that visit and it would be no lie to say it feels I have jumping beans in my belly.

Sunday I was asked the question; ‘Is Bruce healed?’

I hesitated and was unsure of my answer.  I wondered what you thought when you saw I was unsure how to answer.

Today I will repeat my declaration of faith and say Bruce is healed. Because Jesus, you shed your blood to heal ALL of our diseases.  Completely heal and completely eradicate.

Lord, you spoke with absolute authority when you walked this earth and because of it, we have reason to hope. You even told us you have given us all authority over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt us.  We have all and the enemy has nothing.

Someone said somewhere, ‘the shadow of a dog never bit anyone’.  Not sure where I heard that or who said it, but I have never forgotten and there is a truth in that silly little ditty that can set us free from fear.

Choosing to Persevere

When tribulations and trials come our way, we can choose to persevere and walk through them victoriously knowing you are creating and bringing forth character in us.  The character you create and produce in us will be as one who hopes. Hope does not disappoint us because you are faithful to keep your word.

When we know and hide your word in our hearts, we will speak with confident assurance.  Our word of faith will echo the Psalmist’s in Psalm 119:89 ‘Forever O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations.’

Today, we are of the generation who will speak forth and declare the praises of God in and to a world darkened by fear, worry and unbelief.  Today the light shining in our hearts will shine as a beacon in the dark days of this generation – our declarations will bring forth hope to those who hear.

Hope sparks our imagination.  Hope causes us to keep on dreaming, keep on pressing toward our goals.  Hope gives us a confident expectancy for the future.

Hope spurs us to keep on praying. As we draw near to you Father, you draw nearer still.  You are the God who births hope.

We delight ourselves in your presence and you fulfill and give us the desires of our hearts!  

There is no good thing that you withhold from us. You feed our faith with food from your table. We are beggars and yet you treat us like kings.

You keep busy, God, creating character within us.  You want to shape and mold our character and see the fullness of the Image of the Son reflecting in us. You know full well when perseverance hones our character, strength to press on comes with the hope that rises in our hearts.

Hope – it fills our hearts with joyful expectation, a desire to walk uprightly before God all the days of our lives.  Walking with you, we soon learn the sweet joy of intimacy with you.  

His Sweet Voice Fills the Air

‘Do you want to live in that place of hope, peace and rest? Then enter into the throne room of Heaven and bring all your requests, desires and cares before Me. I AM the One who loves you with an everlasting love. I will hear and answer you.

Take the time to slow down, stop for a few minutes and become aware of My Presence. I said I would never leave you. Never forsake you. Let my glory permeate your atmosphere.

Do you trust me enough to place all of your hope and expectation in me? I know it is a difficult thing to do, when you cannot see me and must trust a Voice that seems to come from nowhere. If you will be faithful to daily seek me and read my word, you will recognize my voice. I will lift you up out of that darkening spiral downwards.’

I know that too.

When I am afraid, my choice must be to trust in Him otherwise I feel I am spiraling down a deep dark hole. I am choosing instead to fall backwards in full faith into His loving arms.  He is catching me every time! He is!

Are you confident in knowing He will never fail you, disappoint you or give you a stone when you asked for bread!

Will you choose to hope in his unfailing word and place all of your hope and expectation in the God who longs to pour his blessing out on your life?

I am choosing to trust you Jesus.