LIKE WATER SEEPING THROUGH ROCKS

Whilst listening to our online service this morning, our vicar mentioned hope springing up in difficult times. The Gospel reading was of the death of Lazarus and Mary’s faith.

I had already written on a piece of paper for my next blog ‘faith wells up,’ and after hearing the vicar I thought “like a spring!” and everything sort of fell into place in my mind.

Hope comes from God.

Psalm 9:7, ‘But God will never forget the needy, the hope of the afflicted will never perish.’ I think that means, those who are in need will always have hope!

Psalm 25:2-4, ‘No-one who puts their hope in God will be put to shame.’  I take that to mean that whatever happens, when Jesus returns, those who have put their hope in God will be vindicated.

Psalm 31:23-24, ‘…The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.’ Even though things look dark and fearful, he sees you and everything that happens to you, because you trust in him, and he has you in the palm of his hand.

Psalm 42, ‘Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.’ I think this is from king David, when he was in deep distress. Even at his lowest, he put his hope in God and came through it all, strong in faith.

Matthew 12:21 ‘In his name the nations will put their hope.’ We were told beforehand that we would put our hope in him.

Romans 8:18-28 – shortened, it roughly reads; Our present sufferings are nothing compared to our future glory. The whole of creation groans, waiting eagerly for the redemption of our bodies, (for we already have the redemption of our spirits through faith in Jesus), For this hope we were saved. The spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us. And we know that all things work together for our good, (verse 28), even the difficulties we go through.

Romans 12:12 ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ‘

Romans 15:13 ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy spirit.’

See also Galatians 5:5, Ephesians 1:18, Colossians 1:23, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 & 5:8, Hebrews 11:1.

I could go on. There is so much written about hope. Look it up on bible gateway and see for yourself.

When the devil throws things at us, our best stance is to stand in Jesus with the hope that the Holy Spirit brings us through, and wait patiently for the Lord.

Singing praises always helps me when I am feeling overwhelmed.

And as you sing, you may find hope rising up in your soul, like a spring rises up through the most barren of landscapes.

My hope is the knowledge that he is always there, always watching over me and always in control – even though I am not.

His love is powerful, healing and comforting. He will never forsake you.

This is how I understand my God.

Read for yourself, see what you think.