Windows Opened By Hope

Faith Climbs StairsAbraham’s faith was accounted to him for righteousness. It manifested itself in hope. Hope in what? His hope, driven by his faith, allowed Abraham to believe God when He promised that Abraham’s seed would become a great nation. This promise came to Abraham at the ripe age of 75 and his faith in God’s promise caused him to take his family and leave Haran. The Apostle Paul reminded the Roman’s of Abraham’s great hope in God:

    “…who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’” (Romans 4:18)

To have a living hope such as Abraham’s it must be driven by faith. A dead faith produces no fruit; it does not yield because it does not believe. No belief results in no hope. I know many of you have experienced disappointment, some so severe you may think why even try anymore. I’ve often heard these words spoken by Christians, “It is hopeless!” This should never by uttered by believers! Why?

    “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

Beloved, it is hope that keeps us going; it strengthens us each day. It gives us the moral courage to stand in the gap for God. No doubt that David was often downcast in all that he faced in his life, and yet he could leave us with these words of encouragement:

    “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24)

Our world sometimes seems to be spinning out of control. If we look around us we have good reason to believe that. However we must look up to the heavens because our God is not only in control of this world, but it is also just as important to remember that He created this world.

    “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.” (Psalm 33:18-22)

“…because we have trusted in His holy name.” That is faith my dear friends. Faith drives hope and hope causes faith. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the great 19th Century British preacher, once said:

    “Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the windows which hope has opened.”

When was the last time you climbed up the stairs of faith and looked out the window opened by hope?

You may not understand what this faith and hope is all about because you have never given your life to Jesus Christ. Then trust Him today for salvation and inherit the blessed hope that is in Christ Jesus. It is a hope that abides forever.

More on that next time…

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2013 David Jeffers

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