Subscription Lists

Surrendered to Love

    by Jeannie Pallett

Hope in Faith
Date Posted: February 7, 2012

Abraham did what God encouraged him to do, he hoped in faith. Abraham did what we sometimes find so hard to do. He hoped in faith, believing the promises of God were in the process of coming to pass in his life.

Sometimes when we want something really badly, it is easier to pretend we will not really care too much if it does not happen. I am like that anyway, maybe not you, but I have realized that I do this.

I tell myself it does not really matter, it is OK, and half a dozen other lies and I tell them to myself so I will not be disappointed if the particular thing does not come about.

Sometimes I detach myself from what I really would love and just think of it as something exciting that is "out there" and too good a dream to actually hope it might come to pass.

Now there are several things I would really like to see come about in my life. I have itemized each one, they are Scriptural and completely in line with God's Word and His Promises.

Today I looked at one of the list items and the absolute reality of the words I have been writing and the bread I have been breaking struck me.

The Word of God commands me to read and to keep His Word hidden in my heart so that I will not sin against Him. It is not an option.

Psalm 119:4-5

You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently. Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes.

When it comes to the quality of our walk with God verse 4 pretty clearly indicates that it is up to us to keep it strong.

I know that is a little different take than what we are used to...I hate to say it...but...belly aching, complaining to God and pestering God to do something, anything for us is not quite what He has in mind for us.

Romans 4 talks about Abraham "hoping in faith and it was counted to him as righteousness".

I see that as a picture of hope securely nestled within the circle of faith held even more securely by the promises of God.

My faith protects my hope. The Word of God builds and keeps my faith strong.

I know that the Word of God tells me He has good plans for me and that those plans will give me a future and a hope.

The Psalmist tells me God will give me the desires of my heart.

Paul encourages me to get excited about dreaming with God because He promises to do super abundantly beyond anything I dare ask or think, infinitely beyond my highest prayers, desires thoughts, hopes or dreams.

What glorious incentives to stay closely connected and grow in my relationship with the Lord!

I learned today that it would be wrong of me to look at my little list of hopes and dreams and lay them aside thinking...maybe I am not good enough...

My Lord wants to give me the desires of my heart. He wants to fill my life with good things, as I am diligent to keep His Word.

Therefore, I must speak to myself! I must speak to my nature and tell it to get in line with the statutes of God - His Word.

I must speak the Word to the twisted, distorted and bent areas in my inner being and direct those thoughts and ways of being into the Shepherd's fold.

I am the one who cannot allow my nature to run rampant, undisciplined and uncorralled.

Why does it take so much of life going by before having these Rhema moments that change the way I will do life from now on?

Even as simple and basic as our health. It is easy to slack off on good dietary habits and putting getting good doses of fresh air and exercise on the back shelf. It is pretty obvious that is the twisted, distorted and bent thinking part...the alignment comes as we treat our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit and say no - directing our ways away from slackness and lack of discipline.

When we have lived honouring our mothers and fathers we can claim as our own and stand securely planted on the Word of Promise in Ephesians 6:3 "That all may be well with you and that you live long on the earth."

When the strategic and deceitful lies of the enemy rear their ugly heads, we will stand strong in the Lord wearing the full and complete armour of the Lord.

We hold up the shield of His Word and can say "No, God said thus and so."

When I have the thoughts of "oh no I wouldn't be good enough for my hope to be fulfilled I will cast it aside", in essence I am calling God a liar.

'Father, forgive me for having the wrong mindset. Forgive me for not understanding how precious and valuable I am to You. That my dreams are important to You. Oh, God, I never thought of that before- that my dreams are important to You!"

The writer of Psalm 119 had tremendous insight into the heart of God.

Diligently obeying the precepts of his Lord

would develop discipline in his

spirit man to direct his

nature and character

to line up with the

Word of God.

Was this article helpful?
Rate it:

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Perilous Times

Read Article »
Biography Information:
Who am I ? I am a woman who has been pursued by a God who passionately loves me; a woman who is learning to surrender her heart and mind to that great Lover of my soul. I am a woman who is learning to die to self in order that I might live the abundant life that God has planned for me. He has ignited in my heart a passion for writing as I spend time in His Presence and  to share the tender heart of my God through the words He gives me. I am the author of Beckoned by the King and less of me and more of Him can be found at http://Psalm119Greaterthangold.net