“For My thoughts are NOT your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways.” Isaiah 55:8
Dear Ones:
Faith always begins with a knowledge of the truth, specifically that of God. Practically speaking this means that in every consideration of the meaning and means of living, we begin with what He declares as opposed to that which we naturally think. Why? The Apostle once wrote to the Christians at Rome, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33) Here we have one of the great intellects of all time writing concerning the “wisdom and knowledge of God.” It is difficult enough to grasp something of what this means, but when Isaiah says that this wisdom and knowledge is as vast as the height (distance) between heaven and earth, we are put in our place…at His feet…to ASK for His wisdom (James 1:5). With regard to the subject of “hope,” the certainty of His help, how do we apply the reality of His wisdom? It begins with His word, discovering the truth of His thoughts and ways, and believing it.
Hope is a very powerful thing, especially when one goes to the Word of God, and seeks the heart of God. There is in His divinity a perspective, an objective, and a power to realize that objective, that is most extraordinary. It is a hope that goes beyond “what we can ask or think.” But, it is “according to the power that works in us.” (Eph. 3:20) So, how do we encourage ourselves in the Lord in the face of the difficult thing, or the hard time? How do we live when we are faced with that “insurmountable” wall, or very tall mountain to climb? It is in looking heavenward for the faith to believe God to do the wonderful thing, in the present moment. It is a look that is expectant, “as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters…(Ps. 123:2),” attentive and responsive. The Lord always responds to a look such as this, to GIVE hope, strength, and wisdom. We conquer, overcome, and reign in life, by the power that we receive of Him by faith.
Dear Father, grant us an ever-increasing vision of what You want to be to us. Open our eyes to discover in Your word the dimensions of Thy blessing, and provision IN CHRIST. Ever strengthen us in our hearts to believe what You declare, as being so much greater, and surer than what we naturally see. Accomplish in us Thy mighty work for Jesus’ sake and glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad