A Hope That Doesn't Disappoint

Reading through Romans and coming to chapter 5 today, which reminds us that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. It is through faith in Him that we receive grace upon grace.

As I read, my thoughts go to those in our church family who are suffering. Some with illnesses, some with recent losses of loved ones. Without the peace of God, suffering is a terrible thing to face, yet God's grace enables us to endure and even to exult in our tribulations. Those without faith in God know little of His love and care. One of the blessings of knowing God and being loved through His grace is that we know that He works all things for our good. Even through the suffering and tribulation.

He tells us in His Word that the tribulations we face ultimately bring hope because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. It is His Spirit that enables us to persevere, to find grace upon grace, to be carried and lifted up by His abundant love.

And so, as His children, we rest in His everlasting arms. Resting, knowing the hope that does not disappoint. Our final hope will find us Homeward. I hope to see you there, dear one, as every tear is wiped away and we exult in past tribulations where hope set us free.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  (Roman 5:1-5)

Image via pixabay 

Weakness, A Good Thing?

The Nut Gatherers, William Adolphe Bouguereau, 1882

Sometimes we have to be strong for the weak. My sister who lives with my parents is weak mentally from birth complications and needs the strength of her family, those who surround her with love and care.

And we urge you, brothers, ... encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.  (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Yet, where do any of us find our strength? I often feel weakness rather than strength. But it is in that very weakness that God gives grace, and His strength is then made manifest.

Acknowledging weakness brings hope. Then we can look beyond ourselves and autonomy. We were created for relationships, to be interdependent on one another. Where I am weak, another is strong. We bring our strengths and weaknesses to one another.

Yet, back to the question... where do any of us find our strength?
My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2)
For when I am weak, He is strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

It is good that His strength is seen through our weakness. Our purpose is to glorify Him, and it is as others see Him at work in us that we glorify the giver of all grace and all strength. For it is in Him that they will find hope and call out for His strength in their own weakness.

My sister struggles in ways others of us in our family do not. But her faith in Jesus is strong, and she is a true prayer warrior for those she loves. I know God will strengthen her with His abundant grace when she needs it most greatly. Our parents are elderly, and I sometimes wonder how she will cope when their final days come. I've seen anxiety and fear arise quickly within her whenever our mother becomes ill. In time, she will need God's strength pouring from His hand through her family to uphold her. I am thankful we can look beyond ourselves in our need.

So you, too, dear one, be strong and of good courage, for the giver of grace and strength is at work in you, if you are one of His children. But if you are not one of His, do seek Him, and you will find Him.  

Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 56:6)

Painting ~ The Nut Gatherers, William Adolphe Bouguereau, 1882

WikiArt public domain 

Thankful Thursday ~ God's Lavish Grace

Thinking back on the discussion in our Bible study group this morning, and how thankful we all are that our eternal destiny doesn't depend on what we must do or accomplish to secure a place in heaven with Father God.

We talked through the first half of Ephesians 1, about God's plan for redeeming mankind back to Himself, how He predetermined even before the foundation of the world how it would all be made possible--through Jesus Christ. It is in and through Him that we are presented "holy and blameless before Him." If I were on my own, I surely couldn't make it. None of us could.

Thankful that through Jesus Christ, God has brought me into his family. Why? "According to the kind intention of His will." He just wanted to do it! He so kindly and benevolently wants us to be brought back to Himself that He even made the way for us to come, "according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us." That thought is compelling! He lavished His grace on us. And we didn't even ask for it, and we certainly haven't deserved it.

It was so good this morning to be reminded of God's marvelous grace and love toward us all. I do hope you know that He loves you, too, and wants to bring you to Himself. Do go to Him, dear one, if you haven't already. 

Painting ~ La Lecture 1892, Pierre-Auguste Renoir 1841-1919

This Is Not the End, But It Is the Road

Reading the Letter, Thomas Bennington Kensington, 1884

This encouragement came through the mail yesterday, but was just opened today, on such a morning as I needed it most. Part of a bulk mailing, but a balm to my spirit as I've felt my shortcomings weighing heavily the past couple of days. I share it in hopes that perhaps it will be a balm to your own spirit as well. Keep looking heavenward and homeward, dear one.

This life, therefore, is not righteousness but growth in righteousness, not health but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be but we are growing toward it. The process is not yet finished but it is going on. This is not the end but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified. ~ Martin Luther

From the Mouth of Babes ~ Internal Life

The grandchildren are visiting this week, and four-year-old Anna sings as she plays. One of her recurring songs is the children's chorus of John 3:16-- For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Anna's rendition, however, is internal life.

As I listen to her sing and think upon the words, I realize that even though she alters the words here and there, she still expresses a biblical truth. It is God that changes us from the inside out. He is the one who will change her as she grows to love Him.

Anna is a sweet little girl (as all granddaughters are), but there are things about her that need changed. Neither her parents nor we want her to stay as she is (although being little is oh, so precious!). But we cannot change her. Only God can do that, yet he calls parents and grandparents to be influential toward that change, to demonstrate His grace as He works internally in her heart and mind.

External controls and power plays do not bring internal change. When the externals are no longer viable (children do eventually get bigger than their parents and sometimes smarter), our children do (as we did) whatever it is that they want to do. If all we have are external controls, we will have failed them, and our relationship will fail as well.

Only internal motivations bring life-giving change, and it thrills us as parents and grandparents to see evidence of such change. Anna came into this world with a selfish heart. She has been a me-first, this-is-mine, I-want-it-now little person. But in this visit, we see change in her. All of that selfishness is not gone, but she is internalizing more of what it means to think of the other person a little bit, too. God's grace has been at work through her parents, instruments in the hands of the One who is calling her to an abundant, internal, eternal life.

Jesus says that He came to give life, and to give it abundantly (John 10:10). Our privilege as parents and grandparents is to help the children step into that abundant life that only God's grace provides.

Painting ~ The Tea Party, Eastman Johnson 1824-1906