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Hope

Hope is a wonderful thing, and a vital part of the Christian experience. Like love, hope can also be wild and dangerous. This may be so because many of us have vivid imaginations and often dream wonderful dreams for ourselves, our lives, our families. You are courageous indeed to put your hope in your dreams. Why? Because our dreams are produced by our own flights of fancy and may not be rooted in the word of God.

Scripture tells us to put our hope in a person - Jesus Christ- and in his holy word. This morning I read Psalm 119:114, "You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word." We hope for what we don't have yet. As Christians put our hope in Christ and in his promises contained in scripture. God always keeps His word, so even though we are hoping for what we don't have yet, we know for certain that we will receive it one day. Living faithfully in this hope allows us to experience God as our refuge and shield. We place ourselves squarely in His will and under His protection, and He takes responsibility for our lives.

We set ourselves up for failure, pain, disappointment, and destruction when we put our hope in dreams we have produced for ourselves instead of promises contained in God's word. Sometimes we do this without even realizing it. Please allow me to ask you some difficult questions...what does God promise you in His word? Does He promise...
  • That you will live the American Dream and have an upwardly mobil life?
  • That your children won't disappoint you or break your heart?
  • That you will marry the man (or woman) of your dreams and live happily ever after?
  • That you and your loved ones will be healthy and happy all your days?
  • That you will not have to live sacrificially so that others can come to know Christ?
  • That you will not experience devastating loss and seperation from loved ones?
  • That your business will succeed?
  • That He will give you the desires of your heart when you desire things other than Him?

There are times when it becomes necessary for us to clarify what God has promised us in His word. Otherwise we may get so carried away with our hopes and dreams that we will blame God for our hurt and disappointment, and then miss completely the promises He does fulfill. Where have you placed your hope this day?

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