EPHESIANS 1:
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
| DAY 18—The Rich Rewards of Hope |
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Even in the time of trouble in Israel, the Prophet Jeremiah saw hope on the horizon. That’s one of the purposes of a Prophet. While he can see the desolation approaching and the fire that will sweep through the land, he can also see beyond the hopeless time and tell of the hope that is still alive for those who will believe and look to the Lord God.
Jeremiah 17:7-8—Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose HOPE (confidence) the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
I think Jeremiah must have been inspired by Psalm 1. Let us see it and observe the pattern of life that evolves from it.
Psalm 1:1-3—Blessed is the man (Oh, the blessings of the man) that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat (the assembly) of the scornful (those who talk arrogantly). But his delight (pleasure) is in the law (the torah, the instructions) of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Even in the land that is perishing, when all around one is given over to failure, when hope seems gone, there is a prophetic eye that can see through it all and discover the HOPE that abides. There need be no sinking in despair for the soul who has placed confidence in the Lord. The writer of Hebrewssaid it well.
Hebrews 10:35—Cast not away therefore your confidence (your free and fearless hope), which hath great recompense of reward (It will bring you rich rewards.)
DEAR LORD, teach us to hold on to our hope while we are in the times of trouble. Give us the heart and eyes of a Prophet to see beyond the despair that is being thrown at us. Let our lives be like beacons of light for others so they can have hope while in their trials.
Confidence comes by abiding in Christ.—I John 1:2-8
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