Good morning all,
Today begins a new month, the old one is gone, and here lies before us the month anew…What will become of June 2009?
Let’s consider Hope…What is hope to you? In what part of your world, mind, focus, work or thoughts does hope reside? The basic definition of hope is that of ‘expectation’. The Biblical definition of hope is rooted and grounded in another word…Faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of thing not seen (Hebrews 11.1). The Bible also says that without faith it is impossible to please Him (God).
In today’s world, sometimes it seems as if all we have is hope, some days the outlook is as bright as the sun, others dark as night. But hope is still there. It is said of Abraham, ‘who against hope, believed in hope…’(Romans 4.18). Can you imagine being in a state of affairs in your life where all hope is gone? That is where Abraham was, he was against hope. If you remember, Abraham, who was promised to be the father of many nations, was commanded to take his promised son, Isaac, upon a mount called Moriah and sacrifice him as an offering unto God (Genesis22). As they walked up the hill the son asked his father where the sacrifice was (they were carrying the wood to burn, the stakes, knife etc.). Abraham’s reply is found in the 8th verse of Genesis 22: “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.”. Here is Abraham, walking up this hill, with the child that God promised him that would make him a father of many, the child of his old age (he was 99, Sarah was 90) now obeying God to sacrifice him… Abraham was against hope…yet he believed. The key to his faith in hope, his belief in hope if you will, is seen before the father-son duo began marching up the hill. In verse 5: “And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” He did not say “I” will come again, but both would depart and both would return, friend that is believing in hope, even when hope is against you. It is my firm conviction that is Abraham would have slain that child that day, in obedience the Lord trusting that the Lord would have resurrected him straight away. Isaac’s life was spared when the Lord saw that nothing was between God and Abraham. It is upon this very hill, called Moriah, that another Son would be sacrificed, sacrificed so that the world may live. This hill is known as Calvary, where more than 1500 years later the Lord Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for sin’s debt.
Sometimes, our storms in life, are simple test in seeing what is between us and the Lord. Have we placed our own abilities, talents or strengths in front of the hope that God has given us in this world? A good storm brought our way may test that answer. There is hope in this life, despite the media, economy, the political lies and spins, there is still hope… Because there is still God. Let us commit today, to trust, rely, hope and have faith in the One Who truly controls all in this life… let us commit our works unto Him, so that He may commit His hand unto us… “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3
I like the old hymn that says: “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”. Have hope in Christ dear friend, a hope that will one day render the peaceable fruit of righteousness… a hope that is things unseen, but not unknown…
Today in History
1774 – In response to the Boston Tea Party, Britain closes the port of Boston (boy you showed us Brother Wickens J just kidding)
1789 – President George Washington signs the first act of Congress, which dealt with oaths of office for public officials.
1792 – Kentucky becomes the 15th state.
1796 – Tennessee becomes the 16th state.
1813 – Captain James Lawrence gives his last command: “Don’t give up the ship!”
1990 – President George Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev sign an agreement to end chemical weapon production and begin destroying reserves.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
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