It's not easy to accept God's thorny gifts. Our flesh much prefers the candy-coated kind. Yet,
"Though he slay me, I will hope in him."
Job 13:15
When the going gets tough and our circumstances turn upside down, that's when we realize where our hope can truly, reliably be found.
"Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31
Isaiah 40:31
If I find security in things of this world or even relationships, they may fail me. They might disintegrate. These things predictably happen. Indeed, my hope must be in Christ the Lord...eternal, wise, loving, omniscient, omnipotent, loving, merciful, gracious, holy HIM.
"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame,
because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
Romans 5:3-5
It's clear that as God strips away and takes away and allows figures of certainty to even pass away, what's always left is Him.
The constant, the ever-flowing wellspring of life and love and joy and peace is never-failing Him.
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
I can see this when the sky falls and the cookie crumbles, when the chips are down and I'm boggled. I can see that when all the "stuff"
I want to go right goes wrong, I can still have hope when my hope is in HIM. I can still give thanks to the One who holds it all in His hands knowingly, permissively in spite of my confusion. So, I will praise Him for who He is and will always be. Face down in the mud
at the moment, according to His sovereign will we may be. Yet, though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will.
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
James 1:2-4
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
