LOVE ALWAYS HOPES ... LOVE ALWAYS PESEVERES

"Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:7


When we cannot see His Hand, we can trust His heart! The hope that God gives unto His Own is faultless under all circumstances. Oswald Chambers made a striking comment on the Believer's hope. He said, "We should believe where we cannot see; and hope, where we cannot believe; and cherish desire where we scarcely entertain hope."

When we lose hope, we succumb to the inevitable, give way to despair, and open the door of our heart to the invasion of being overcome, discouraged, and defeated. This should never be true of the child of God. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is our "assurance" of walking triumphantly in all circumstances. Paul said, "But thanks be to God, who ?always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ" [2 Cor. 2:14]

Our hope is in ONE who is our SUFFICIENCY in All Things. Our downfall comes when we strike out "on our own," saying in so many words, "Lord I really don't need you in this situation. I think "I" am quite capable to handle this." How many times have we experienced the dreadful downfall from that assumption? Our hope must be COMPLETELY IN CHRIST ... nothing more, nothing less!

"Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." [Rom. 5;5] When we walk in obedience exercising child-like faith in our Almighty God ... there is "Certain Victory," because HE is in Command and HE has already Won the Battle!

Psalms 18, expresses the joy that "overflowed" from David's heart, having seen God manifest His Power on his behalf, in circumstances completely beyond anything he could do. Listen to the beginning ... "I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower...." Throughout this Psalm David rejoices not only in all God did for him, but David rejoices in a "greater revelation" of ... WHO GOD IS !

He finds himself encompassed by the MAJESTY OF GOD! "He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to stand on the heights." WOW! Regardless of the scheming enemy, the overwhelming foes, or the dreadful circumstances ... David's HOPE WAS STEADFASTLY IN GOD!

We have the same opportunity as David. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever! When we indulge in a hope from our own endeavors, we quickly see the folly in it all. Every day would bring us new occasions for despair. But when "Our Hope Is In GOD," there is nothing wanting, we will never be disappointed; He has the Power and the Will "to do exceeding abundantly above all we an ask or even think." [Eph. 3:20]. Let us not limit either the mercy or the power of God. Let us "Dare to Believe" with unwavering confidence in our faithful and mighty God.

If we profess that nothing ?shall' separate from the love of God, be sure nothing ?does' separate us from it. May the hope within our hearts be our "anchor in God," and direct our walk in a "fixed path of Duty and Obedience." Let not the temptations of Satan, the persecutions of men, or the comforts of life, be detrimental to following the Lord fully.

"Nothing shall separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." [Rom. 8:39] Hallelujah!


From: Literature International Ministry - Ed Powell