But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him. –Lamentations 3:21-24
Hope has played a big part in my life these last few weeks. God keeps showing me just how important it is to let go of the past and hold on to constant hope for the future. I heard a quote recently that I liked which says… “You can’t move on to the next chapter of your life if you keep reading and re-reading the last one.” (corny, I know, but hey). I am reminded of the Israelite’s journey, as they were released from slavery and headed into the wilderness. They struggled with looking back to Egypt (which was nothing but bondage), instead of focusing on the good things God had planned for them in the Promised Land.
One of the many things we have been doing here in Guatemala is studying the book of Exodus. We read a chapter each morning and then spend an hour or more examining the scriptures. It has been really amazing & eye opening, as we have found so much of it apply to our own lives and the bigger story of salvation.
God asked Moses to lead the people out of Egypt because He heard their cries under the weight of slavery. He had already set them free and promised them a land flowing with milk & honey, but they were more concerned with getting back to what they knew (their comfort zone). Daring to hope can be a truly scary thing! Thankfully the future doesn’t scare God…because He’s been there, done that.
“But now, this is what the Lord says- He who created you, Jacob, he who formed you,
Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are
mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through
the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be
burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of
Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom”.
Many of the people that we minister to here in Guatemala have little reason to hope. Some live in poverty, or are homeless, or have no education whatsoever, and their country has been left ravaged by civil war. In the eyes of the world they have no reason to hope.
But thankfully God sees things differently.
The same message He gave the Israelites back then applies to the people of Guatemala and to you and I as well.
If we’ve got our minds in the past, we’re going to miss the new thing He’s doing. It is impossible to have hope for your past (it’s over and done); hope is only for the future. Faith is the substance of things HOPED for, the evidence of things not seen. I often get discouraged when I see no evidence of God’s promises on the way. The truth is…the less evidence of it now, the more miraculous it will be to stand on the horizon and view the Promised Land.
I encourage you to be the kind of person that keeps hoping, no matter what. Your life isn’t over as long as there’s breath in your lungs 🙂
Well, my time in Guatemala is quickly coming to a close, at least for now, and I anxiously await His next plans for me. Whatever it is, I know it will be good! Here are some verses that I cling to, and I hope they bless you today:
I am of good courage, and the Lord shall strengthen my heart, as I hope in the Lord. –Psalm 31:24
The Lord has thoughts toward me, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give me a future and a hope. -Jeremiah 29:11
I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. -Psalm 71:14
I hope for what I do not yet have, and I wait for it patiently. -Romans 8:25
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. -Psalm 130:5
Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you! -Zechariah 9:12
