March 2001

[Part 102]

“Issues of the heart”

[Part Twenty]

Hope For the Fearful Heart! [D]

What is the hope of man? Multitudes would give anything to know, but believers in Christ should have a ready answer. Hope isn’t an abstract variable but a concrete reality in the form of a Supreme Being! Jesus Christ is the only true Hope of all mankind! Scripture calls Him our “Blessed Hope of glory” (Tit 2:13) even saying, “We are saved by Hope!”(Ro 8:24) Then it adds, “Hope that can be seen is not hope; for no one hopes for what he is able to see! But if we hope for what we cannot see yet, we will develop *patience during the time we wait for it.” [*Patience is another name for the least desired or sought after fruit of the spirit called“Long-suffering”.] This Living Hope is expressed in many ways.
                David once cried to the Lord, “Do not take the Word of Truth entirely out of my mouth for my hope is in Your Judgments!” He adds, “All they that fear You will see me and be glad because I have hoped in Your Word! I know Your Judgments (conclusions, decisions and wisdom) are all right and fair!” (Ps 119:43, 74) Can we say with David that we trust ALL of God’s Judgments? Who among us is enduring a grievous affliction? Can he say to God what David cried next to Him, “I KNOW Y-O-U HAVE AFFLICTED ME, BUT IN YOUR FAITHFULNESS!” If we consider our present trial as being from a “devil”, we have no hope in this! But if we realize that GOD is the One Who has afflicted us IN HIS FAITHFULNESS we can confidently place all our hope in Him! We must keep in the forefront of our hearts that “The Lord Jesus Christ IS our Hope!”(1 Ti 1:1) This means that our Savior is also our Hope! In knowing this, we are more blessed than David who could only say, “I hope for Salvation”! (Ps 119:166) The people of God share the great privilege of knowing intimately this “Hope of Salvation”, which is Christ, Who was quickened to life in that moment He was first manifested in our hearts. That was when we entered into a Blood Covenant with Him. Now hear this encouraging Word of the Lord to all His Kingdom sons.

“As for you, because of the sake of My sealed Blood Covenant with His people, I have released and sent forth your imprisoned people from the waterless pit.Turn to the Stronghold of safety and security, you prisoners of hope! Today I declare to you that I shall recompense you DOUBLE (for all your losses)!I have bent Judah (lit. “Praise”) as My Bow; and I have selected Ephraim (lit. “double-fruitfulness”) as My Arrow! I have raised you up as sons, O Zion, to send into battle as the Sword (lit. “Word of the Lord” Eph 6:17) of a mighty man against your sons, O Greece. [Heb 3120 “Effervescence” andfrom 3196 yayin- most often translated in the OT as, “Wine, as fermented”] The Lord shall be seen over them, and His Arrow shall go forth just as thelightning! Then the Lord God will blow His Trumpet as He goes forth in the southern windstorms. He will defend and protect His people as they devour and subdue their enemies with sling stones! They will drink and make noisesof victory as those who drink wine (also Heb 3196 yayin). They shall be fullas bowls (used to catch the drippings of sacrificial blood) on the corners ofthe altar. In that day the Lord, their God, will save them as the flock of Hispeople who will be as PRECIOUS STONES OF A CROWN LIFTED UPAS AN ENSIGN ON THE LAND! Oh, how great is the Lord’s Goodness and how great is His Beauty! The young men shall thrive on His Wheat andthe virgins shall blessed with His New Wine!”

               God’s sons have this “Hope” of victory, praise, double-fruitfulness, Wheat and New Wine in their indwelling Christ! Let us “Gird up the loins of our minds; be sober; and hope to the end for the Grace that is brought to us through the revelation of Jesus Christ!!” (1 Pet 1:13)

[TO BE CONTINUED]