Making Time for God

66. Hope

It's me again God,

Of all the voices speaking about this current crisis, there is only one voice I want to hear and that is Your voice! As I begin this new day, my ears are tuned to what You would say to me. I love You Lord and I want You to know that. Whatever happens today, I am secure in the love that You have for me. Many relationships will be tried in the coming weeks and months but the one I am forging with You at this time is the most important of all!

Thank You for Your love shown in sending Your Son to save us all. It's like we had been thrown from a boat in the most treacherous seas and we were destined for disaster, but Jesus came like the most incredible lifeboat and saved us, promising to take us safely to the other side.

"Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep,
have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53:4-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Thank You Jesus for taking my sin in Your own body so I could be rescued from the law of sin and death.

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You took the pain and suffering that was due to me and the punishment You endured on my behalf, brought me peace! There is no condemnation! This is love!

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You loved me first, even before I was conceived! You had been thinking of me and planning this most amazing rescue plan because You wanted me to be Your own child! Jesus' wounds brought me peace and allows me to come into Your Presence in prayer each day. I don't have to go through a high priest because when Jesus died on the cross,

"The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom."
‭‭Mark‬ ‭15:38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Thank You that this gives me direct access to You and the prophecy from Isaiah also says:

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Why do I sometimes have difficulty accepting this wonderful promise? I have no trouble with the concept that You dealt with my sins once and for all at the cross. Could it be that I choose to hold onto sickness because in some way I still don't feel worthy of all You desired to give me? Do I still feel guilty and therefore deserving of a life that is a little less than perfect? But this is not in keeping with Your Word at all! No, today I believe and receive all that You have for me:

"Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103:2-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

These words of King David were later echoed by the prophet Isaiah. You spoke the same truth all the way through Your Word:

"He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:29-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Clearly, I just need to put all my hope in You, then I will have my strength renewed and I will soar on wings like an eagle!

Thank You for this Good News. I choose to keep my mind from dwelling on what is behind me. I believe Jesus' words:

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
‭‭John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I will live today looking and sounding like I have truly been rescued and am living the full life You came to give me Jesus! I won't return to a place of trying hard to do things my own way and living like the rest of the world. No each day that I come to You, I can receive strength in place of any weariness that I might perceive to be present. I have Your power in place of weakness! My hope is in You and I truly am ready to soar!

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.