Where Christ evidenceth his presence with us, he gives us an infallible hope of glory; he gives us an assured pledge of it, and worketh our souls into an expectation of it. Hope in general is but an uncertain expectation of a future good which we desire; but as it is a gospel grace, all uncertainty is removed from it, which would hinder us of the advantage intended in it. It is an earnest expectation, proceeding from faith, trust, and confidence, accompanied with longing desires of enjoyment.
-John Owen, Vol. 7, page 321
Tag: hope
Shooting Star
A sleepy morning. Yet I must confess I had a most enjoyable reading time(with my eggs and coffee)…reading a couple of my favorite chapters – Luke 21 & 22. I don’t have time to fully explicate these chapters and describe my thoughts…but this morning as I read, I was just encouraged by the words and actions of Jesus. From Him telling Peter, “Simon, Simon – Satan has demanded permission to sift you as wheat. Yet I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. When you have returned, strengthen your brothers.” We could spend hours just discussing that alone!! Oh how I love the fact that although Jesus doesn’t deny Satan permission to test Peter….he does say He prayed for Peter – he prayed for his faith. Oh how I long that Jesus would pray thus for me. And later on…as Jesus is fervently praying and tired and emotionally worn out…he is strengthened by an angel from heaven. Then he comes back and sees the disciples and what are they doing? Sleeping of course. He tells them “Pray that you might not fall into temptation.” Oh might I heed these words – what is better, to be self-satisfied and confident in my own abilities, to be awake yet sleeping? Or to desparately pray for that aid which we know we need, that we not stumble and fall. And later on in the chapter of course…Peter denies Christ, as Jesus knew he would. And at that moment of Peter’s third denial, we read that “Jesus turned and looked at Peter”. What was in Jesus’ eyes? What was that look? I imagine it as sorrow and love mingled…yet I cannot say. But Peter responded as is only proper. He fled and wept bitterly. To deny our Lord and Christ – how can we do this? Yet we do it every day. Pray to the Father for relief from temptation. Cry out to the Lord in prayer, day and night. And remember…Jesus is even now(as per Luke 22!) at the right hand of God in glory and He never ceases to plead your case. Forgiven am I. Eternity with my God awaits. Ne’er should I doubt my future when such joy is assured.
reaching yet Falling
It’s…a Monday. Horrors! It’s actually not that bad of a day(yet) although I am very tired nonetheless as my weekend was very busy(with fun social things!) and I am most sure I did not get enough sleep. Alas. And even last night..though it was a free night and I should have probably gone to bed early, I was silly and decided to watch one of my recent fav movies(Dan in Real Life, which although silly and somewhat ridiculous for multiple reasons….is much loved by me, so says I). Now I’ve been wanting to write something for a while, as it’s been too long since I’ve been creatively writing…yet once again my muse fails me and my lack of sleep haunts me and so yet once again there will be nothing pretty written this day. Someday. Someday I will yet write of those diaphanous clouds floating through the silken skies, blue so bright the eyes water and head spins and yet the heart sings of bare-branched trees and sunlight brilliant, unwaveringly poured down upon the earth as honey upon the bread and yet – and still – the song is heard through the rustling of the dancing limbs of trees unfettered by grave-countenanced dusky shadows. Someday beauty comes.
Signed and Sealed
Happy Wednesday friends!! A brief few words…reading in Jeremiah a bit today and was both encouraged and convicted by the words I read therein. Jeremiah is in jail. And the city of Jerusalem is literally under siege by the Chaldeans – with the fall of the city less than 2 years away. Bad circumstances, right? Jeremiah gets a word from the Lord however – telling him to purchase a piece of property as a sign that someday there will be a restoration. And so Jeremiah obeys. But after his obedience, he cries out to the Lord in prayer. And oh might we all pray as he does here – he names the attributes of God – namely, his omnipotence, omniscience, mercy and justice – and he exults in the name of the Lord. But even as he lifts up the name of the Lord, he also confesses and agrees as to the sins of the people and states that the city is surrounded and about to fall. Without questioning God as such, Jeremiah lists the works of the Lord – His judgment and promised redemption. And there is a hint of a question at the end, when Jeremiah mentions the fact that he bought a piece of property…even though the city is about to fall. But Jeremiah’s faith is indeed strong. And God replies(at length! but I shall reproduce only a line): “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”
Truly let us remember that this day. When all seems wrong and all is lost and we think surely nothing good is even possible…think on these words. Jeremiah is imprisoned in a city that is about to fall to a ruthless enemy. We are not normally in situations as dire as this, and so we have even less reason to doubt the goodness of God. Yet, we do doubt, I know. I know because I doubt. And at those times, cry out to the Lord in prayer. Think on the grand and beautiful attributes of God. Remember that God is a God of exceeding lovingkindness and mercy. Think on the great works of the Lord that He has done in your life. And at the end, rest. Rest in the promises of God – He shall surely never leave or forsake you, as long as you shall live. Remember the promises of Christ – His yoke is indeed easy and His burden is light. Go to Him, and you shall have rest for your souls.
A Haystack World
Morning all!! Just a quick entry here on this balmy Thursday morning. I say ‘balmy’ because it is above 70(F) currently, which is completely unacceptable for mid-November. Just saying. I really would like to wear my turtleneck and jacket tomorrow to work, if that’s not too much to ask!! …honestly, I’ll probably wear that combo no matter what. I need winter weather. Please?
Anyways! Aside from the weather, nothing too exciting going on lately. A normal work week here. Tonight, going to the Rockets/Blazers game with James, so that should be fun. First Rockets game of the year! They’re actually not half-bad this year, although they’re not quite in the same class as Warriors/Clippers/Thunder. We shall see if they improve as season progresses…
This weekend promises to be a most busy one, but I shall write more about that later when I have more time. One more note – a week from now I will be in Tampa celebrating Thanksgiving with the fam!!! Cannot wait. Have a most amazing day, you all.
Postscript – because apparently I want to write just a few more words. Been really thinking about my future hope lately…and how much my hope is not in this world. As I look at the horrors present in this world and the frailties of our physical bodies – truly, we are made of bones and skin and beating heart, wonderfully made, yet so fragile! – and as I think on the fate we so richly deserve for our ignominious behaviour towards the Creator of all things…I just long for that day when I am in the presence of my Saviour, my God. Someday. Someday.
