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4.17.2020 – Rejoicing in Hope

There are times in the mornings that I wonder if there’ll be anything for me to write.

But I’m finding that sometimes the Lord wants to bring me through somewhat of a “process” in order to show me something, before He gives me the words I am to write.

This morning as I’m sitting here, waiting to see what the Lord would have me write, I began to really wonder if anything would come. It was a bit of a strange morning…

Then I felt this phrase suddenly rise up in me…

“Lord, I want to be faithful as You are! I want to have it in me to keep going, to remain steadfast and faithful!”

And then there is another “thought” that asks…. “is that even possible?” ?

Yes! It is! How do I know? Because it’s what He asks of me in His Word, and because He lives in me! He makes a way, He makes it possible.

Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” —1 Samuel 12:24

And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart…“—2 Chronicles 19:9

“Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?“—Proverbs 20:6

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”—Matthew 25:23

…And then I heard the word “despondent” —and in all honestly I had to look it up because I couldn’t really give you a clear definition of the word.

despondent” means,

“in low spirits from loss of hope or courage.”

“disheartened, discouraged, dispirited, low-spirited, hopeless, downcast, down, low, gloomy, glum, oppressed, despairing, melancholy, depressed, sorrowful, sad, blue, pessimistic”

Despondency” is the opposite of “hope

I don’t know if you notice it, but it feels as though “despondency” is knocking at the door of the world right now.

How great is the temptation to become despondent in these times of waiting within the unknown, within the uncertainty? How often are we tempted to crack the door open to “despondency” and begin to lose hope?

But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.” —1 Thessalonians 5:8

But just as God is faithful, He has also called us to be faithful! And with His help, we can remain faithful, we can remain hopeful, we can keep the fire burning within, we can keep pressing in with all of our hearts, as we cling to the hope we have in Jesus —always!

“…to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” —Colossians 1:27

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” —1 Thessalonians 4:13

“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.” —1 Peter 1:3

How do we remain steadfast in hope? How do we faithfully keep pressing forward, even when “despondency” comes knocking at the door?

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” —1 Peter 1:13

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” —Romans 12:12

Thank You, Jesus. ?✨

-Heather ?

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