The Reason to be Encouraged

Paul makes an interesting observation in verse 18 of the present day sufferings compared to the glory that will be revealed. Of course we note that there is no comparison of the two. What is the glory that will be revealed to us? When we get into heaven there will be no suffering, no pain and no sorrow (Revelation 21:4). Our glory will be exemplified by being in the presence of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Paul is very clear that the hope we have in Christ we cannot see and when we wait for it with perseverance God will deliver. Otherwise, hope that is seen from the world is empty. If we patiently wait for God’s hope we will be adopted into His family and will benefit from the promises God has made to us. Through God’s hope and our receiving of the Holy Spirit we are redeemed. The world cannot save you! That is not to say God cannot put people, places and things in your life that will point you to Christ and ultimately lead to your salvation.

I like to put hope into two categories or buckets that we rely on in almost every circumstance in our lives. The hope we have in God is knowing that God will provide and protect us. That through God we will live a better more fruitful life. Hope leads to deliverance from the things that will destroy us. It allows us to live in the presence of the Lord and believe in His promises beyond what we can see. Hope in God is a critical component in our walk with Jesus. It is the hope we have in God and the promises He gives us that will build our faith and carry us to the finish line. This hope will deliver us from the bondage that we find ourselves in repeatedly in our lives. It is through Jesus Christ that our hope grows and through God that the firstfruits of the Spirit are given to us.

The other hope is in the world. Superficially it can give you moments of encouragement but will rarely point you to God. Hope in the world requires that you also put hope in man. This hope is short lived and will often let you down. The world’s hope is driven by the desires of our hearts and the desires of the world. Unfortunately, if you are living a life void of God, this worldly hope is filled with empty promises. Satan will often fill you with empty promises because he knows this tactic of distraction will continue to move us in ways that brings false hope. This is where Satan grabs you. He wants to control your heart and tie up your emotions so that you may never focus on God but put all your trust in the world.

Our lives are interconnected with the world, but God provides a path that leads straight to Him and the Kingdom of heaven. On the path we are walking with Jesus and the Holy Spirit and through receiving Christ and the interactions of the Holy Spirit we become true heirs of God. On the journey we take with God, He instills in us that all things do work together for those of us who love God. To all who are responsive and answer God’s calling. Those who are willing to leave it all behind to serve God. As we walk closer with Jesus, we walk closer to the Kingdom of heaven, our final dwelling place. We are all predestined to serve God and through God’s love and Grace He will give us the choice to do so.

My prayer is that we all make the wisest choice that we will ever make. The choice to serve God for the rest of our days. I pray that the Holy Spirit speak to each one of our hearts and show us the path that will transform our lives from the world to the Kingdom of heaven. I pray the God speak into each one of our hearts and that we will make conscious decision to put all our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ for the rest of our days. I pray that the Holy Spirit fall upon you and that you will allow Him to guide you and your family so that God may be glorified in ways that we could never imagine. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray this Amen! Amen!