My friend felt hopeless after his marriage failed
Few knew he struggled.
God knew.One night, my friend woke up and knew God was present.
God came.
In the darkness, God gave him hope for the future. And, in that hope he experienced joy and peace, aware of the presence of God.
My friend experienced what the Apostle Paul prayed into the lives of the Romans: “May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope.” (Romans 15: 13,Amplified Bible).
As we read and study the passage, it is clear that hope is the work of the Holy Spirit . . . an inward movement of Christ . . . strengthening us in the midst of good times as well as adversity . . . creating an eager anticipation of something more in life . . revealing the presence, power, and peace of Christ.
Exodus 15 is the expression of the hope of those who know God is not only present but working on their behalf. As the story of an oppressed people unfolds . . . it is apparent they become hopeless when it appeared that either their oppressors would once again enslave them . . . or that they would be swallowed up by the Red Sea. They looked back and could clearly see God had been with them in the place of their hopelessness and that only God could have rescued them.
Their hope was restored.
They worshiped God with joy and peace: In your mercy you led the people you redeemed; in your strength you guided them to your holy dwelling (Exodus 15:13, NASB).
Have you experienced a place of hopelessness in your life? Have you experienced restored hope when you became aware of the presence of Christ in the midst of hopeless moments of life?
The awareness of the presence of Christ changes the perception of circumstances.And . . . the awareness that Christ will not fail us . . . produces joy.
The awareness of the dynamic power of Christ changes the management of circumstances.
The awareness of the peace of Christ, changes the impact of circumstances.
Refuse to be stuck in hopelessness.
Stop whatever you are doing.Learning to KickStart the day with the kind of awareness of God that brings hope,
Just STOP.
Become aware of the presence of God.
(Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10).Receive hope . . . the kind that fills you with so much joy and peace . . . that hope flows out of you. Worship.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)