A Prisoner of Hope
It’s easy to “believe” until the crisis hits. Last March ushered in one of the fiercest battles of my life. Watching my son struggle physically was more than I could bear at times. My faith was challenged and guilt weighed heavily on my heart for allowing fear to run away with me. I thought I believed God at His Word, but these particular circumstances challenged everything I knew to be true. Doubt tried to raise its ugly head, leaving me weak and afraid. It would have been easier to succumb to it, but I had to fight with my faith as measly as it seemed! The circumstances called for Stones of Remembrance. Looking back over my life with gratitude was a weapon of warfare. And capturing thoughts that tried to defeat me was the key to victory. The situation would not dictate the results because God was on the Throne. Sovereign and in control. I had discovered the power of a grateful heart in the past. A mouth that expressed thanks and praise to God. I knew that God could not lie. His promises were true. His covenant undeniable. I clung like crazy to scriptures, and I thanked Him for every blessing we saw along the way. Giving thanks and declaring God’s Word literally pulled me up out of the pit of despair. As I ran to my place of Refuge, I became a prisoner of hope!
I have witnessed the Lord turning many things around for good. While frequent blood tests are a big inconvenience, our son is really doing very well. His condition is manageable with medication for which we thank God. He is driving again and his back is healing from the fall. He is strong physically and mentally, and God is using him in incredible ways in both ministry and business. Just last Sunday he was asked to share what God has taught him through suffering. His weekly blog has also been a testimony to others of God’s faithfulness. And he is helping lead a non-profit missions business with wisdom from above. God never wastes our pain. He uses us to encourage others. The testing of our faith through suffering develops perseverance, and then character, and then hope. And hope will never disappoint us. (Romans 5:3-5).
Read Hebrews 11:1-3
1. Define faith in your own words.
2. What does faith help us to do? (verse 3)
Read Zechariah 9:12
3. Of what are you a prisoner? In what way does this verse encourage you?
Read Hebrews 10:22
4. What detail seems important to you in drawing closer to God?
Read Romans 4:17 (best in NIV)
5. What do you think this verse might have to do with faith?
6. How does this verse compare with what you know of God’s method of creation?
Can we truly be sure of things we do not see? The Bible says we walk by faith not by sight. We are never to throw away our confidence because it will be richly rewarded. It’s easy to get short-sighted, allowing circumstances to get us off track. But God has the ability to create out of nothing. God promised Abraham he would be the father of many nations even when he had no children. God loves to work in impossible situations. Never despise the day of small beginnings because you never know what God is up to! Will we trust and believe in the face of lying circumstances? I’m a prisoner of hope. May that be what imprisons you as well.
Such an encouraging study today. I love studies that help me look back and remember times in my life that God has (and is) faithful. Faithful to His promises! I love the verse you used at the end, Romans 5:3-5 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Also your statement…God never wastes our pain. All for His glory!
Faith in my own words – it is believing in things that will happen according to the word of GOD – it really is our hope for tomorrow – which are the things that are going to happen in our lives – but you and I do not have any idea what they are and when they are going to happen to us. With our faith we know that GOD’S word is true and that GOD made everything in our world for us to enjoy and serve HIM with all of our heart. The detail that seems important to me – GOD will bring double unto us and we will be a stronghold by following the LORD.
Drawing closer to GOD is very important to me – just to know that HE is fully leading my life each day – which I can always go to HIM when no one else is around – GOD is always there for me. We are washed and made whole by GOD. GOD gives life to the dead and has called into being things that were now – you and I have to have the faith to believe this – GOD HAS MADE EVERYTHING IN THIS OLD WORLD – now we need the faith to believe HE CAN DO ALL THINGS AND DOES DO ALL THINGS IN OUR LIVES. When GOD says it we must have the faith to believe it will come to pass just as HE said. You and I are quickened in our souls and believe with our faith. GOD creates everything in perfect condition.
Love these lessons – they are wonderful – teaching us each day of our lives – Great Lesson