"HOPE"

For years I have had a sign hanging over my front door that reads: “As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:5) It has always been a statement of faith. It still is that today. But it has also become a statement of hope for the child of mine who has walked away from the Lord. It is with great hope I look forward to the day when this child will repent and return back to their first love and serve God again with their life.

I claim that I am a “prisoner of hope”, just like it states in Zechariah 9:12. Because I hope in One to whom I have put all my trust, prayer and tears for this prodigal child. I will not allow discouragement to set in while I wait.

It was around 586 BC that a remnant of Jewish people who chose not to stay in Babylon after being set free from their 70 year captivity. It was these few people who chose to go back to their “father’s land”, back to the holy city of Jerusalem where Solomon’s temple once stood but was now totally destroyed. They were losing their hope and becoming discouraged at the enormous task of rebuilding that laid ahead. But God raised up Zechariah to encourage hope for the task and to prophesy the hope of the promised coming Messiah.

Over 2,000 years ago our Messiah did come! Jesus came to take our sins upon Himself and to be our perfect sacrifice for a holy God. After His death on the cross, He has risen and now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for each of us until the day we enter Paradise ourselves! And our Christ, our Messiah will come again and set this world right. Such hope we have in Jesus. Who are we as Christians, if we are not “prisoners of hope”? We are among the most hope filled people that walk this planet.

Sometimes I believe too often that we as Christians feel more like we are walking a tightrope; trying to balance between doubt and assurance. Or maybe your struggle is between fear and rest, sadness and joy? But that is NOT the life we have been promised! We are not under the bondage of discouragement. We have hope that Christ will see us through every situation. Remember...we walk in the grip of His hands!

Do you have a prodigal child that you have been praying for? Are you also praying for the salvation of a family member or friend? Does is it seem hopeless to you, or has the waiting time become discouraging to you? Fear not! Jesus gives us boundless hope and we can have confidence “in our Strongtower”! Don’t give up on those prayers…and let us each fix our hearts and eyes upon the object of our hope… Jesus Christ. I have just encouraged myself with these words, now you go out and encourage someone who needs to hear it and don't be surprised if your own spirit lifts as you speak out such truth.

May it be our desire that we be women who live in the present and are aware of the world around us. May we take notice of the blessings God gifts to each of us, and always long to hear His whispers. Shall we also pray with a more purposeful focus on God’s will? And as we stay connected in our relationship with Christ, we will become more thankful followers. Let us commit to doing this together! Close your eyes…Open your heart, let God’s Spirit empower you today.