Know Hope

I love the word hope. It is positive. It is optimistic.  Hope means that things will get better. I have many situations in my life that seemed hopeless and grim. When Hope enters the room, the mood changes, and new life comes to my words and my spirit. It is sometimes very dark before the light of hope comes.  It is sometimes hard to hold on while waiting for hope.

In my journey with the Lord, I’ve learned that His timing is impeccable and perfect. I don’t always operate on His timetable – or so I think. I’m a bit impatient at times and I want what I want now.

Ezekiel was sending a message to his people that didn’t really have hope. It was a promise of punishment that was well deserved. I could feel the weight of the message when he delivered it. Check this out….

¹¹ Now set the empty pot on the coals.
    Heat it red hot!
    Burn away the filth and corruption.
¹² But it’s hopeless;
    the corruption can’t be cleaned out.
    So throw it into the fire.
¹³ Your impurity is your lewdness
    and the corruption of your idolatry.
I tried to cleanse you,
    but you refused.
So now you will remain in your filth
    until my fury against you has been satisfied.

¹⁴ “I, the Lord, have spoken! The time has come, and I won’t hold back. I will not change my mind, and I will have no pity on you. You will be judged on the basis of all your wicked actions, says the Sovereign Lord.” (Ezekiel 24:11-14 NLT)

I remember a bumper sticker from a few years ago that read:

“No Jesus – No hope.  Know Jesus – Know Hope”

I simply can’t imagine my life without Jesus. He consistently infuses Hope into my soul. This life is temporary but often “feels” permanent. He reminds me that there is much more.  When I stumble in sin, the enemy reminds me of my weakness, but Jesus reminds me that He is strong, and He’s got this.

I am thankful that God loved the world so much that He sent His One and Only Son to take on all my sin. I deserve to die, but He gives life. I deserve to suffer, but He restores my soul.  I am so thankful for Hope and Hope has a name – Jesus.

Pressing On!

Dwayne