Probing Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
How appropriate this Proverb is as we enter the week of Easter!
There are very few words in our language that carry as much weight as the word “Hope!” The only person I have ever met in this
journey I have been on, that has no hope is one either dying or is
already dead. I want to spend some time this week meditating on Hope.
The loss of all hope is death…so the world says. Over 2,000 years ago
God said NO to that lie, when Jesus Christ raised from the dead and proved
there is hope beyond the grave!
This Proverb states it well, the reality of hope is a dream
being fulfilled, and brings LIFE!
Let’s just consider a few thoughts about Hope this week.
Here is a simple definition of Hope: To cherish a desire with
anticipation, to desire with expectation of obtainment, to expect with
confidence.
Hope is most experienced when in the midst of adversity. What
is very important is what kind of Hope do you have? There is the hope of the
world versus the Hope from God. What is the difference? That is what we will look at
in our time together.
The world’s hope is based on circumstances and
chance…which
is a very precarious way to live.
God’s Hope is best described by Peter:
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again
to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
We will use the acronym H.O.P.E. to provoke our thinking.
H. The hope of the world is Hazardous! It depends on circumstances or other individuals that
are at best in the same boat as you are! When it comes to the real issues of
life –
you are dependent on a system that bottom line serves it’s self.
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, But
the counsel of the Lord, it will stand.
Psalm 33:10-11 The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart from
generation to generation.
H. A Living Hope brings Help from
on High! Where as we are limited to a wisdom that barely sees past our nose on
our own, a Living Hope comes from the One who sees all the way past the end of
the ages and into eternity! Our help not only sees all, He can do all!
1 Peter 1:4–7 and we have a priceless inheritance—an
inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the
reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God
is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready
to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful
joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith
is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your
faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through
many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when
Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
In the days ahead we will consider O.P.E.
The So What: When you hear about countries with bombs that are
threatening the world, when you hear about the financial situation in the
world, when you hear about “global warming” or even when you hear due to
downsizing you may lose your job…are you consumed by worry, or do you sense a
calm from the Hope of Who is really in control?
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