Hope – Fanning the Fans of Faith Part 5.
Hope is what keeps us going when trouble surrounds us. Wendy shares how Elijah was given hope by invisible angelic forces.
“H” Is For Hope
Today I’m sharing step five from the acronym F-A-I-T-H on how to fan the flames of faith. ‘H’ is for hope. What and who we place our hope in hugely matters to the health of our faith.
When we have a ‘hit the bottom day,’ who do we run to? I hit bottom regularly and I want to share with you what happened the last time I did.
A Focus on a Bible Story
But first, let’s take a detour and focus on a Bible story. When a recent bout of discouragement tried to sideline me, I began to grumble about why I often end up surrounded by doubters and mockers. Then I remembered a story about Elijah and his terrified servant in 2 Kings 6:15-17.
When this servant of the Man of God got up and went out the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “O, my Lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them,” and Elijah prayed; “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servants’ eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elijah. 2 Kings 6:15-17
An Invisible Army Gives Hope
Do you see it? We as Christians are surrounded by an invisible army. The hope we have is the team we’re on; ‘the Jesus team,’ the winning team. We’re surrounded by His angels, and I bet they smile when I said that. There’s nothing to worry about. God’s already won this whole war. The enemy’s been beaten.
Psalm 59:9 says, “O my strength. I watch for you. You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.”
To watch for God means to put our heart in His hands, to put our hope in His help. Hope helps us take bold steps for God. If we’ve been taking steps towards fervent faith, God will challenge us to share more of our time and resources in service for Him. We’ll need to continue clinging to Christ in order to fulfill the calling He has for us. He desires to bless us with courage as we hope in Him.
Sometimes I fear criticism from others through my steps of faith, until I remember a quote, a former pastor mentioned in one of his inspiring sermons;
“My way of doing it is better than your way of not doing it.”
Ungracious Critics
Ungracious critics are the true failures, for they failed at the most important thing; love.
We may not be the greatest at something God has called us to do, but if we do it as unto Him and keep hoping in His power, not ours, it will be marvelous in the eyes that matter most; His.
My “Bottomed Out” Story
Now, I’d like to share my recent ‘bottomed out’ story with you… God hugged me. At least that’s the best way I can describe what happened. I experienced an ‘aha’ moment as I stood alone in my bathroom and realized there is no one I call when I’m down at the bottom of my moody self.
There’s no number I dial, no e-mail address I bring up and send a message to, and there’s no place or person I run to when I reach the end of whatever I’ve been holding onto. When I’m down, I look up. When I’m tired of it all, I find all my rest in God, and in that moment, as I stood in my bathroom and realized afresh that He is my first, last, and forever hope, I felt Him surround me with a love hug. I heard Him whisper He desires to have me all to Himself.
My Hope is Dependent on God
I’m right where God wants me dependent on Him and independent of others. It’s not that I’m not to have friends. I’m to have Him is my forever best friend, whom I cling to first, and last.
Like it says in Psalm 62:5,
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone. My hope comes from Him.”
It’s not wise to build our hope on the sandy shores of fallible human relationships. A wise person builds their hope on the Rock of Ages. A spouse may die. A pastor may stumble, or friends may be too busy, but
God is our sure resting place and sure hope.
So, the next time we hit bottom, let’s remember to look up first.
I’d like to close with a poem.
Rest and hope are only found in Christ.
Where souls needs are fully met
For Jesus, Himself is our bread,
And His blood is the wine of the blest.
How do you fan the flame of faith? Do you have hope in God? What do you think is the connection between forgiveness and faith? Contact us at HopeStreamRadio, or comment below.
Wendy Macdonald
Wendy is writer, poet, photographer, and contributor to our Christian internet radio station, HopeStreamRadio.
Read and hear more from Wendy L. Macdonald on the contributor’s page or on her personal website.
Wendy’s show, “Walking With Hope” airs on HopeStreamRadio, providing observations and insights from both her life experience, and her knowledge of God.
Leave a Reply