Wisdom expressed in Perseverance and Hope.

This morning I couldn’t help but burst into jubilant laughter during my time with our Lord. But lets begin at the beginning. I awake with a sense of optimism as its getting light. What will the day bring? What will this week bring?

As I become quiet my Father focusses on the word “hope” – yes, ultimate hope – focusing and culminating in the “marriage supper of the Lamb” – but hope here on earth as well. I see a picture of a tree lined avenue with a bright light shining at the end – it is the HOPE God is speaking about. He reminds me of Romans ch 5 – standing in His grace – suffering producing perseverance which produces hope. My impression is that I mustn’t just mark time and wait for the end, but must bravely and with expectancy look forward to His working in this world now. He reminds me that the coming together of a number of small things is a sign of His presence, however He is busy with something much bigger. I sense though that I mustn’t try and predict and run ahead, I must wait on Him. I am reminded of the passage in Habbakuk, you know the one? “Though the fig tree does not bud ……Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour (our lovely Lord Jesus)”. This is not negative, it is a reminder to enjoy and worship God for who He is, not what we can get from Him. Yet I must carry on doing the mundane things He has called me to every day, diligently.

So the reading is in Proverbs 21:1-15.

The question is, what determines our path?

vs 1 God can and does direct even the most powerful person when He wishes something to be done.

vs 2 It is the motive and decision which arises from our hearts that determines the direction, the decisions we make and that is important to God.

vs 3 He is more interested in us doing the right thing, having the right attitude towards His word and decrees than in making sacrifices, iow doing our thing to try and please Him and win His approval.

vs 4. Pride hinders our relationship with Him and prevents divine guidance and is abhorrent to Him.

vs 5 He desires us to think carefully before we act and not make rash decisions.

Now I take up Selwyn Hughes’ book. The theme is still diligence despite difficulties and my eye falls on the following statement: “Listen to what the apostle Paul says in Romans 5:3-4; ‘We rejoice in our sufferings, [why} because suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character and character hope'”.

Can I ever doubt that the precious Lord is speaking to me with such a clear message? My heart was overflowing as I burst out in joyful, ebullient laughter.

There is hope for all of us. Not a wishy washy word of hope, a dynamic powerful word of promise from the God who created the whole world. Let us rejoice and be glad in Him and accept the hope as a sign of His love but worship Him ultimately for who He is and love Him with all your heart.

My prayer for you and I, all of us, is from Ephesians 1:17 ff “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you (us), the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the incomparably great power for for us who believe”

Wow – praise His glorious Name!