Main Text:
"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Rom 5:3-5)
Introduction:
In this second part, we want to look at the purpose of hope in the christian lives. Why does God allowed us to hope in what we do not see as the Scripture puts it: "but hope that is seen is not hope?" (Rom 8:24). In addition, we want to carefully examine the hunters of hope and avoid them. Finally, what attitudes are we suppose to have while
hoping knowing that our attitude will ultimately determine our altitude. You need to know all these in the turbulent days ahead so that you can know that our hope is in the Lord Jesus, and it 'does not disappoint'। It can not fail!
Hunters of Hope
In this journey, we have to watch out for hunters of hope.
These hunters are daily all around us wanting to hunt down our hopes and kill them.
If we are watchful, we can avoid them or even exterminate them.
In 1 Corinthians 10: 6-12, Paul, the apostle was warning us of these hunters.
They took many in the church in the wilderness under ‘Pastor’ Moses unawares.
“Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor 10:6-12)
As the people under Moses were going on in the journey to their inheritance-Canaan-there came a time there was a paradigm shift in the source of their hope. The hunters of hope came in and shot the hopes of many. Many of them out of the weariness of the journey soon lost faith in their leader and became idolaters; solace in other gods was a way out for them! Some of them turned to pleasures of the world around them messing up their bodies in orgies or immoralities; majority of them murmured, grumbled and complained loudly and harshly against their pastor Moses, and even God who brought them out of captivity. They soon forgot all the wonderful God did for them in
The Lord Jesus warned us especially as the end draws near:
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the
We must also be careful not to be in frenzy haste to get anything. Our dependency should be on God at all times. He is our Father. He knows the best for us at all times. Therefore, we must not give in to hunters of our hopes who will want us to fret or worry or be angry over issue. David in the midst of his affliction decided to rest in God; and he also exhorted others to do also:
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.” (Psalm 37:7,8)
David wanted us to wait patiently for God avoiding worry and anger. In addition, we are not to get into wicked schemes. Our father, Abraham, after waiting a long while and God was not showing up, devised a scheme, no thanks to his wife, Sarah’s counsel. They received Ishmael as a reward; God best was Isaac and not Ishmael.
The whole world is still aching under this one bad decision of this couple till today! Your life may affect a whole generation; be careful of the decisions you make.
One of my mentors, Bishop Francis Wale is wont to say: “when God seems to be coming late; then he’s coming big”. Eventually Isaac came for Abraham and Sarah, and the difference was clear. Ishmael smells while Isaac is sweet as far as God is concerned!
Wait for your Isaac!
Work of Hope
In the time of hoping, God is working out some things in us unknowingly; if we are faithful all through! May we receive that grace to be faithful. Amen.
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom 5: 3-5)
As we hope in God, His Word and His promises to us and we are not weary or discouraged, God is working some things out in our inner man. Paul, the apostle, talked about glory in tribulation or in other words rejoicing in time of hardship or trials like Paul and Silas in prison after being beaten and left hungry. This attitude will work out patience or perseverance in us. Until you and I are faced with problems and challenges beyond our capabilities, then can our patience be measured. Anybody can say, I am a patient person, but this attribute will be made manifest when the person is involved in a challenging situation with pressures on every side like Paul described it in the Bible: ‘We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed’ (2 Corinthians 4:8 ).
When we have learned the lesson of being patience like Job in our trials and travails, then character is imparted to us. This is the character we need to sustain us in the time of the manifestation of glory or breakthrough; because charisma and ‘chrisma’(anointing) may take us to a vintage point of celebration, but only character will ultimately sustain us there!
It is this character that will produce the real hope. We can then be depended upon by God to represent Him. We then become useful vessels of honour in His hands or a mouth piece for Him. God needed 40 years at the backside of the desert for Moses to be used to take His people from
Attitude in Hope
Somebody once said: ‘your attitude will determine your altitude’.
I believe this with all my heart. Therefore, what must we do when hoping in God?
1. Praise: We are told to rejoice in tribulation. Romans 12:12.
2. Prayer: We must always pray and not faint. Luke 18:1-8.
3. Patience: Nothing like hasting, fretting, worrying or anger. The story of Isaac has always been encouraging to me in my mission assignment in
4. Purity: ‘Keep yourself pure’ as the Bible says while you are hoping in God. We see this in the lives of Joseph and Daniel: “but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.” (Dan 6:4)
5. Persistence: We need to be consistent in doing all the aforementioned।
Conclusion:
Brethren, be hopeful in all you are passing through today. Trust in God, His Word and His precious promises to you. He will NOT fail you or forsake you.
“Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life।” (Psalm 119:49-50)
Prayer Point:
In the word of the Psalmist:
“Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live;
And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.” (Psalm 119: 116)
You are a blessing to your generation!
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