Hold On Tight!
Writer Author Larry W. King
Christian Article
:
Hope
- Fiction No
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
When I was a kid I loved to ride the roller-coaster. And even now, as an adult I still do. I can never forget how at the amusement park, just before the ride started, the announcer would always say “for your safety, please fasten your seat belt, remain seated and hold on to the handrail while the ride is in motion.” Back in the day, I couldn’t wait for the roller-coaster to begin its slow, steady climb up the first huge hill. Because, just as soon as it reached the top, what would I do? Let go of the handrail and stand up screaming, yelling and laughing like a mad banshee! What a thrill it was. And I’ll tell you a little secret … I do the very same thing today. I guess, some kids simply never grow up. When it comes to roller-coasters, that would be me!
The word hope is defined as “a feeling that what is wanted will happen; desire accompanied by expectation” (Webster’s New World Dictionary). Desire accompanied by expectation. In other words, hope occurs when we believe that what we want or expect will happen – and when it does, that it will meet or exceed our vision. For example, even if I’ve been on a particular coaster a hundred times, I still anticipate the adrenaline rush of that first drop which has me floating in mid-air – with stomach flung up clear into my throat and scared half to death. I constantly look forward to the excitement of every heart-pounding descent, the thrill of each jerky twist and turn and the dizzy feeling that comes from a gravity-defying loop-the-loop. And I’m never disappointed. The joyride always exceeds my expectations, and I can’t wait to do it again and again and again. Indeed, I hope it will be even better the next time (and the next, and the next).
Cherished reader, life is a roller-coaster and our hope in God – through the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ and His comforting Holy Spirit - is our spiritual handrail. As long as we hold fast to Him (as the text says, unswervingly) - even though we will experience ups and downs; we will get twisted, turned around, suspended over a steep drop-off and sometimes even turned upside-down – we are forever protected and kept safe. Therefore, we can enjoy – even laugh our way through – the entire ride! Hear well the apostle Paul, in his letter to the church at Rome, as he eloquently writes: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” – Romans 5: 3-5 (NLT).
The Lord uses our circumstances – every trial, struggle and tribulation which we endure, as well as every gift, favor and blessing - to build and strengthen our character. Because a well-developed Christian character rests on a foundation whose cornerstones are love, hope and faith. Of course, love is the chief cornerstone. Without love nothing else matters. But with love, then hope and faith are fundamental and integral building blocks. Truly, hope and faith are inseparably woven together into the fabric of a Godly personality tapestry. Again Paul writes in the book of Hebrews, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” – Hebrews 11:1 (NIV). Here’s an illustration. A piano has both black and white keys. Music can be made with just one or the other. But true masterpieces require both, because they compliment and complete each other. Likewise, faith may exist without hope but is severely limited, and faithless hope is both ineffective and pointless.
Surely, every believer does hope for God’s promises – anything and everything which He has said in His Holy Word. Moreover, those promises cannot fail, because Almighty God is sure, steadfast and faithful. The Old Testament declares, “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” – Numbers 23:19 (NLT).
He has promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5b). He’s promised that if we seek Him first, everything else we need will be supplied (Matthew 6:33). He’s promised that everything works out for the good of them who love Him (Romans 8:28). He’s promised that He’s preparing a place for us so that we can be with Him forever (John 14:2-3). He’s promised that the dynamic duo of goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives (Psalm 23:6). He’s promised that if we trust Him completely and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). He’s promised brand new mercy every morning (Lamentations 3:23). He has promised us a spirit of power, love and sound judgment (II Timothy 1:7). And He provides us with generational blessings, because all His promises apply not only to us, but to our children, to their children and to distant generations (Acts 2:39).
Therefore, knowing that God’s promises are true and everlasting, our duty is to simply profess and confess our Lord, Jesus Christ, to anybody who will hear us … and then some. We simply need to let folk know that our confidence is not in the New York Stock Exchange. Our confidence is not in politicians - Mayor Hickenlooper, Governor Ritter or even President Obama. Our confidence is not in education. Now, don’t get it twisted. There is nothing wrong with any of those things. But our confidence and our hope must rest and reside wholly in the One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians 4:6). Hallelujah! Thank You, Jesus! That hope will never fail us or disappoint us, because it’s rooted in the blessed assurance that God loves us. And His love is eternal and everlasting.
So, today and every day let hope be your handrail and … hold on tight!
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About the Writer Author
State:
Colorado
Country:
United States
Email:
larrywking@msn.com
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