The hope that does not disappoint assures us that the deepest of sadnesses we experience and which clings to us now will be part of the fabric that will be the joy which is our future.
From Scotty Smith at Heavenward.
“ “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.” (Ephesians 1:18)
Heavenly Father, if a sheriff knocked at our door with a subpoena, we’d take it seriously. And today, like every day, the Gospel is knocking at our door, summoning us to hope — at the end of a pandemic, in the middle of a war, long before you wipe away every tear.
As the “God of hope” (Rom. 15:13), you call us to hope as surely as you called us to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Hope isn’t valium to numb us, but a re-valuing of all things from the perspective of eternity. It’s not “pie in the sky,” but grace for this moment. Hope cannot and will not disappoint us (Rom. 5:5). So, open the eyes of our heart, and show us everything you want us to see. Replace our spiritual-astigmatism and faith-myopia with 20/20 vision.
Let us see the end of this war, and grant us a peak of the Day when the entire earth (including Russia and the Ukraine) will be filled with your glory. Show us more of heaven’s current joys (Rev. 4-5), and the amazing-forever reserved for us when Jesus returns (Rev. 21:1-22:6).
Especially, show us more of Jesus—the author and perfecter of our faith, our perfect righteousness and constant intercessor, the ruler of earth’s kings redeemer of all our sorrows. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.
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