I Have This Hope

I Have This Hope

“I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’” Isaiah 45:19 ESV 

We can gain great comfort by considering what God has not said. What He has said is full of inexpressible comfort and delight, but what He has not said is just as rich. It was one of these “said nots” that preserved the kingdom of Israel in the days of King Jeroboam, for “the LORD had not said he would blot out the name of Israel completely” (2 Kings 14:27 NLT). In today’s Scripture, we have an assurance that God will answer prayer, because He “did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’” If you have bitter thoughts against yourself, remember this: whatever your doubt and fear may say, if God has not cut you off from mercy there is no room for despair. Even the voice of your conscience carries little weight if it is not seconded by the voice of God. Certainly, you should tremble at what God has said—but don’t allow your imagination to overwhelm you with depression and a sinful despair. Many fearful people are vexed by the suspicion that something in God’s decrees shuts them out from hope. But here is a complete refutation to that idea, for no true seeker can be consigned to wrath. The beginning of today’s verse says, “I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness”—even though God is far beyond human understanding, He does not say, “Seek me in vain.” God has clearly revealed that He will hear the prayers of those who call on Him, and that declaration cannot be overturned. God has spoken so firmly, so truthfully, and so righteously that there can be no room for doubt. He does not reveal His mind in unintelligible words; He speaks plainly and positively, saying, “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7 ESV). Oh, trembling Christian, believe this sure truth—that your prayer must and will be heard, and that never, even in the secrets of eternity, has the Lord said to any living soul, “Seek me in vain.” - C. H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening 

Before going further the words to a Christian song going through my head appear to be working with this devotional. 

I Have This Hope - Tenth Avenue North

As I walk this great unknown
Questions come and questions go
Was there purpose for the pain?
Did I cry these tears in vain?

I don't want to live in fear
I want to trust that You are near
Trust Your grace can be seen
In both triumph and tragedy

I have this hope
In the depth of my soul
In the flood or the fire
You're with me and You won't let go

But sometimes my faith feels thin
Like the night will never end
Will You catch every tear
Or will You just leave me here?

But I have this hope
In the depth of my soul
In the flood or the fire
You're with me and You won't let go

Yes, I have this hope
In the depth of my soul
In the flood or the fire
You're with me and You won't let go

So, whatever happens I will not be afraid
Cause You are closer than this breath that I take
You calm the storm when I hear You call my name
I still believe that one day I'll see Your face

I have this hope
In the depth of my soul
In the flood or the fire
You're with me

I have this hope
In the depth of my soul
In the flood or the fire
You're with me and You won't let go

In the flood or the fire
You're with me and You won't let go

In the flood or the fire
You're with me and You won't let go

It's probably the most heartbreaking and distressful thing that I see in life is people totally devoid of hope in Christ Jesus. 

I read in Paul's letters of his admonition to those Churches to remember the hope they have in the finished work of Christ Jesus. 

I see people drawn to constant tears over family and friends that are going through so much pain and painful times yet they push the hope of Christ away. 

That brings me to remembering that story of the woman in the storm.  The rains were coming,  water is rising. She cries out to God to save her! A truck comes down her street. They offer to take her to safety.  She declines, God will save  her.  A boat comes by and they offer to take her to safety. She says no thanks, God will save her!  The waters rise. A helicopter sees her on the roof of her house. They throw her a line. She hollered to them no thanks, God would save her. She dies in that storm and finds herself standing before Jesus really upset. Why didn't you save me?  Jesus responded with "I sent a truck, a boat and a helicopter, what more did you need?".

We often miss the hope right in front of us. 

We also get so used to handling our problems that we don't think to hope in a response from God. 

We live often in luxury compared to many places in the world. Thinking as the world does in just doing things yourself and forgetting that our place in this world is to show hope to a dying world. 

How else will mankind be without excuse in the day of Christ Jesus unless they are exposed to the hope only found in Jesus Christ? 

I pray daily for those whom I currently and have formerly worked with. Realizing that God had me cross paths with those individuals for a reason. There are no happenstance with life. There are no coincidences in life.  There are God-incidences. There are opportunities to show hope.

Your life, if you are a child of God, is to be a living testimony. 

For those reading this who have not come to Christ for salvation, this is the truth you seek.

To find hope in this world means coming to Christ to receive the free gift of Salvation. 

It's no sign of weakness to cry out to the One who can save you!  You who are parents, you, I hope, don't berate your children because they have hope in you as their parent do you?

Oh the heartbreak at the tears of someone who just refuses to embrace what Jesus offers!

It's OK not to have all the answers. It's OK to hope in the One who does. 

We who are in Christ hope in the promises of God. 

Fear being alone? Jesus promised never to leave us OR forsake us.  

Can anyone you know or have known in your life ever fit that promise unconditionally?

That's just ONE promise. 

In the Bible there's so many more. 

"I have this hope

In the depth of my soul
In the flood or the fire
You're with me and You won't let go"

The Bible is full of examples of people who hoped in God and His promises..

Let today be your day when you turn to them yourself.