“My hope lies in nothing but the blood and righteousness of Jesus. I dare not trust in the sweetest frame, but I lean entirely in the name of Jesus.” (Lyrics by Edward Mort, 1834)
You probably know what Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” And if you’ve ever had your hopes deferred, you know the full meaning of the Bible.
I still remember how sick I felt when I heard the news that one of my long-standing writing contracts had been “suspended” indefinitely. The organization merged with another organization and all new content was stopped under the new leadership. My hopes were postponed that day. It was my hope that I would continue to encourage many people through the ministry that I had come to know as my “family.”
As I turned to God for answers, He lovingly guided me through a process of refinement and revealed where my hope was built on temporary things. It took many passes through the refiner’s fire, but I was finally able to let go of my disappointment and allow the Lord to rebuild my hope.
You may not know this, but the Bible mentions hope over 130 times, reminding us that:
It is the living hope in Christ Jesus that allows us to press forward despite life’s disappointments. It keeps us grounded in the Word and steadfast in its purpose. So if you feel like your hopes are being deferred, don’t despair.
Here are some reminders about what the will to live is built on.
Nothing but the best of God
As I was managing my emotions due to an unexpected job loss, the Lord reminded me many times that He had my best interests in mind. He was “for” me, not against me. God turned what I thought was a negative into a blessing. For several months, he emphasized that…
1. His protection
“But the Lord is faithful; he will establish you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV).
2. His favor
“Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous and surround them with your favor like a shield” (Psalm 5:12).
3. His purpose
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
4. His Anointing
“As for you, the anointing (special gift, provision) that you have received from God remains in you (forever) and you do not need anyone to teach you. But in all things the anointing of God teaches you (gives you insight through the presence of the Holy Spirit), and is true and not a lie. And just as the anointing of God taught you, you also must abide in God (rooted in God, united to Him)” (1 John 2:27). amplifier)
When your plans fail, pray for wisdom and insight into what God is doing in your life. If you need repentance in a particular area, go to the Father and confess it. Remember 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
If the Lord is leading you in a different direction, don’t complain and change direction. And if the Lord is silent, continue waiting patiently on the Lord while continuing in other areas He has called you to. Put your hope in God’s best for you, even if it’s not what you imagined.
Here are some scriptures you may find more comforting to remember:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
“And hope does not put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5).
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
Nothing but the finished work of Christ
In all of our human endeavors, we tend to place our hopes in personal accomplishment and worldly success. And while there is nothing wrong with setting goals and achieving them, it is dangerous to place our hopes in anything other than the completed work of Christ on the cross.
As 1 Peter 2:24 says, “God Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; by His wounds you were healed.” Our ultimate victory is to be completely healed, freed from sin and death, and living in the righteousness of Christ.
No earthly accomplishment can match the glorious hope we have in Christ. As Paul emphasized in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “What I received I have handed down to you as the most important of all things: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he rose on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Jesus’ perfect sacrifice is paramount. It is the foundation from which all other hopes spring. Like a spring flowing from the ground, hope in Christ’s finished work overflows with love, gratitude, and eternal confidence.
Here are more scriptures to help you build a strong foundation.
“Therefore thus says the Sovereign Lord: ‘Behold, I have set a stone in Zion, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; he that trusteth in it shall never panic’ (Isaiah 28:16).”
“For no one can lay any foundation except the one that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV).
There’s nothing more than eternity
A Bible verse I never tire of reading is Revelation 22:1-5, which says: “Then the angel showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb in the middle of the city’s thoroughfares. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, which brought forth twelve crops, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations; there is no more. ”The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will see his face, and there will be no more night on their foreheads, for the Lord God will give them light. ”
In light of this verse, hope deferred becomes a temporary trial that will one day be replaced by eternal light. The river of water of life quenches every thirst. The tree of life heals all nations. Our eyes, now dim, will see God’s face clearly as His love banishes every last shadow of despair.
Friends, I know things on this earth are heavy, but don’t lose hope. Allow the Holy Spirit to renew your vision and focus on God’s will. Brick by brick, build your life into nothing but the blood and righteousness of Jesus. Don’t rely on the “sweetest frame” but rely completely on the name of Jesus.
More resources for your journey:
prayer for hope
How do we cling to hope?
Welcome the new year with hope, not fear
Photo credit: ©Pexels/David Dibert
Jennifer Waddle is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and a regular contributor to LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com, where you can find her books and subscribe to her weekly post, “Disappointment Can’t Win.” She lives with her family near her favorite place on earth, the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
