God’s Promises for the Holiday Season
You have Hope…
As we continue in our series of God’s Promises to us during the Holiday Season, today we stop to remember the promise, “You have Hope.” Hope is a very powerful thing.
“Hope looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worst in them. Hope opens doors where despair closes them. Hope discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot be done. Hope draws its power from a deep trust in God and the basic goodness of mankind. Hope “lights a candle” instead of “cursing the darkness.” Hope regards problems, small or large, as opportunities. Hope cherishes no illusions, nor does it yield to cynicism. Hope means expectancy when things are otherwise hopeless.”
- G. K. Chesterton
We are living in times that are a lot less certain than they used to be…or are we? I’ll be honest with you, I have a tendency to look at my current state in life and think, “I remember simpler times. I wish I was back there.” But when I really think of the “better moments” I can remember saying the same thing then too! The only time I couldn’t look back to better times, was when I was an infant!
So here’s the question: What is it that I keep going back to time after time when I’m feeling down, like a failure or all together forsaken? God’s Hope. And this is something that is rooted in God’s “Oath” to us. Remember that word, oath, because it is vital to a never-ending source of hope.
Hebrews 6:13-19 (NLT)
For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:
14 “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”
15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.
16 Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. 17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. 18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
-Prayer
You have hope…
1. In times of Tribulation
tribulation: a cause or state of great trouble or suffering
Antithesis: “I can’t make it!”
God says: “I am still in control; allow me to grow you from these.”
Hebrews 6:18-19 (NLT)
So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
A. God is in control
“Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper.” - Francis Bacon
This quote might seem a bit cynical, but it does say something quite profound: “If my hope is not founded in my faith in God, it will leave me grasping for anything.”
It’s like the beginning of any sports season. All teams start out undefeated, and they have high hopes for the coming season, even the weaker ones! But at some point the team’s hope has got to be an action right? Otherwise the focus of hope becomes “Next Season”.
As Christians, we must have the presence of mind to keep our HOPE rooted in the faithfulness of God, or we will find ourselves chasing “The next best thing”.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT)
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
B. God uses these for growth and glory
Once we remember that God is in control, the natural next step is start seeking how God is going to use these tribulations for good in us.
Romans 5:3-5 (NKJV)
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
See God never promised us an easy ride. He said we’d face trouble, pain and the grief this world throws at us. But God did promise to give us the tools to endure and be grown in the midst of all these things.
Remember this will help change your perspective, and the question within tribulation will no longer be, “Why God,” but “What God.”
I know that sounds very churchy-easy answer, but think about it. How is it that you’ve come this far? Hasn’t God used the lowest moments in your life to craft you into the person you are now? God will use everything for His glory: Beauty for ashes.
Why? Because even in this “He is still Lord.”
You have hope…
2. In our Failures
I bring this up, because it’s usually the end of the year we start to recount how we’ve failed, and what we want to do different next year.
Antithesis: “I’m a Failure”
God Says: “I’ve forgiven You; Learn from this.”
Hebrews 10:22-23
22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Look at the steps towards Hope in these verses:
A. Draw near to God
When we draw near to God, our hearts and lives are illuminated by His light. We see what needs purifying. We then acknowledge the wrong, and repent of them.
B. Hope from a forgiven heart
Once we have been made clean, we now have the hope that comes from knowing that we are forgiven; our hope of salvation! Vs. 23 tells us to hold “unswervingly” to this. This is especially important because when we doubt this or forget it, it’s easy to let our failure hold us back!
C. Move Forward from Failure
The last verse is a call to action. Get back on the path of adding to God’s Kingdom. But I would also add this: Learn from Your failures. Make it a part of the testimony God is building in you.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
God will use these missteps to grow us if we are willing to face up to them, but God also wants us to be made better, not continue to fall back into what caused our failure to begin with.
You have hope…
3. When we feel forsaken
Antithesis: “I’m alone. God has forgotten me!”
God says: “I am still here with you.”
Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Personally, I have had to tattoo this verse on my heart this year. It has been an ever present reminder that no matter where I go, or what I do, God is there with me.
Maybe you’ve reached a point today where you’ve lost hope. You been stuck in this valley so long, it’s hard to feel God’s presence.
What I’m not going to do today is discount that feeling. I know how real it can be. I will say this though. Don’t Quit. Don’t Stop. Keep moving towards what God has called you to.
God may seem far away, but He’s not. Stay rooted in him. God will prove Himself Faithful.
James 2:21-22 (NIV)
Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
You have hope…
4. Be Encouraged!
God gives His encouragement freely, but we must be ready to receive it.
A. His Word
Romans 15:4 (NASB)
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
What an amazing verse! God’s word, the Bible, is more than just a “good book”. It’s living and active, it teaches and corrects, and it inspires and encourages!
B. Friends/Fellow Believers
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
SOAP Night for the Youth, Charles’ Scripture:
Psalm 119:71
My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
Sometimes encouragement is more just someone to lean on; it’s the word of encouragement at just the right time.
C. Spiritual Position
Our Spiritual Position must that of in Christ:
Philippians 2:1-2 (NASB)
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
The phrase “In Christ” is used 150 times in the New Testament. It refers to our union with Him in that we have been crucified with Him, raised up with Him and allowed to sit with Him in heavenly places. We must take full advantage of this relationship!
Last week we discovered that one of the many blessings God gives us is the ability to tap into His streams of abundance; but we must be “rooted” there first!
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB)
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Is Christ in You? Be Encouraged! It is through him that you will do far more than you ever thought you could, in all seasons and situations!
2008: The Year of Growth for me. Here is an open letter I wrote to the year:
Dear 2008,
It’s time you and I had some words with each other. I must say, you will be a year I will never forget. However, I think it will ultimately be more for the wrong reasons. Maybe it was just me, but you took a lot more than you gave. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such an incredible season of loss.
In you, I’ve seen dear friends pass away, move away or just plain walk away. In you, I watched family brought to the brink, laid low physically and struggle to find meaning within it all. In you, I questioned my call, my purpose and discovered just how weak and unworthy I truly am. You kicked my rear end on every level I could possibly imagine: physically, emotionally and spiritually and more.
There are many ways I can recount that you tried to break me, but in all this there is someone even greater at work. This presence has patiently showed me how to take all that you have thrown at me, and allow myself to be grown by you.
So it’s in you I say that:
- I have realized what a privilege it is to draw breath each day
- I will cherish every friendship and family member, even more than I did before
- I will walk firmly in the path set before me, even when others step off
- I will never stop dreaming of what else can be done
- I will take more time to rest
- I will take inventory of my efforts, and focus more on the truly important things
And most important, specifically what I would like you to hear, is that I will never quit. You’ve been quite a year to endure, but I did it. And this was not me, but someone else who believes in me more than you gave me credit for. So it’s with that, I sincerely say Goodbye. I thank you for your time (un-sarcastically), but I will not miss you. I had high hopes for you initially, and while maybe I didn’t get what I expected, I am not walking away empty-handed.
Sincerely,
-Chad Garrison
“Hope is wishing for a thing to come true; faith is believing that it will come true.”
Norman Vincent Peale
Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
God wants you to be Encouraged. He gives His encouragement freely, but we must be ready to accept it first.
-Prayer
