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Hope and EncouragementHere are some scriptures that have been very encouraging to me about hope.
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick:
but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 Whenever our hope is in this world, we will be let down. Our heart will be sick. The solution is:
Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psalms 42.5
And hope maketh not ashamed;
because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul,
both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 6:19-20 Looking on the unseenMuch of the difficulty we experience in this life is due to our expectations, and not getting those things that we want. However, when we read the Scriptures we are exhorted not to look on the things of this life for deliverance, but rather to look above.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working
for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
while
we do not look at the things which are seen,
but at the things which are not seen.
For the things which are seen are
temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek those things which are above, where Christ is,
sitting at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on things above,
not on things on the earth.
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 Out of the wildernessI have heard so many sermons on being in the wilderness, and once we will be delivered out of the wilderness. What the Lord showed me, is that we may spend the rest of our lives in the wilderness. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. Here is a parallel treatment of Deuteronomy 8 and Hebrews 11-12. The writer of Hebrews uses the wilderness to show how by faith believers were able to endure many difficulties...for they looked to the reward...Jesus Christ and the heavenly Jerusalem.
According to this, God is taking us to the heavenly Jerusalem. It is the promised land out of the wilderness. If we are looking for any comfort in this life, we will most likely be disappointed. Let us keep our eyes fixed upon the author and finisher of our faith, the Lord Jesus Christ. And we will never be disappointed.
For consider Him
who endured such hostility from sinners
against Himself,
lest you become weary and discouraged
in your souls.
Hebrews 12:3 RejoiceNo matter how difficult the circumstances we may endure, God's desire is that we continue to rejoice and give thanks and praise to Him. He is worthy. Let us offer up all of our suffering to Him.
Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Therefore by Him let us continually
offer the sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Hebrews 13:15 Notable quotes"For if we would learn to suffer, we need not suffer."
Ugo Bassi, young priest in Italy in 1848
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