In God We Trust. Living in God, Gives Hope

O God, Our Help in Ages Past.

Under the shadow of Your throne

Your saints have dwelt secure,

Sufficient is Your arm alone,

And our defense is sure. (Isaac Watts, 1719, based on Psalm 90:1–5)

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12, ESV)

Introduction. Genuine hope is only possible in this broken world through faith in God and His Son, Jesus.

Genuine trust and confidence in our Father’s ability to care for us is brought about through faith. Sincere, unquestioning and unwavering faith. Faith, as strong as that of Jesus’ beloved Apostle, Peter. Peter’s belief in our Lord so absolute, when commanded by Jesus, “come!” He without hesitation, looked into the eyes of His Lord, His God. Stepped out of the boat and on to the Sea of Galilee. Such trust, belief and faith in Jesus had Peter. He stepped out of the safety of the boat and onto the water. Is our faith and trust in Jesus as strong?

And Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come.” So, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. (Peter 14:28–29, ESV)

Yes, I know. When the wind began to blow, Peter’s faith began to faulter. After all he was only a man, yes?

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Peter 14:30–31, ESV)

Did you recognize Jesus’ unquestioning reaction to Peter’s doubts and fears? “Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him.” For when you are frightened and cry out to Him. Our Lord and ever close companion always, yes always reaches out His hand in love and compassion. As you cry out to Jesus, His hand reaches out. In love Jesus takes hold of you and removes all doubts and fears. You are loved, deeply and dearly loved by God. Nothing more in life is needed.

Hope and faith a life-long partnership. Empowering your life of love and service to and for the Almighty One.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Hope from God’s perspective is trusting and believing in His ability to keep all promises. We as mere mortals do not know our future. But God does. God our Father has a specific plan for each of His children.

Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you. (Psalm 37:5, ESV)

Believing that God has a life plan and a purpose for you, gives you hope for the future. By trusting in God and having faith that He will supply all that is needed to carry out His plan and purpose. Removes all need for anxiety and stress. As you diligently read His Holy Word each day.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13, ESV)

He teaches you that He will supply according to your needs. Hope in Him is precious and fills you with gratitude and joy.

And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11: 22–24, ESV)

Have you had a prayer of need and desperation answered??? In such a powerful way that you will never forget this miraculous act of love and mercy from God. This miracle changes your life and your perception of God your Father. This miracle brings the loving presence of God ever closer. I have. My child was saved from death and now lives. I will be forever thankful.

You and I have faith in God. God your Father hears all prayers, this I have proof of. And, a beloved child who is now a grown and healthy man.

He is the One you praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. (Deuteronomy, 10:21, ESV)

You now look for God’s miracles everywhere, both great and small. From the mysterious metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a magnificent butterfly. A delicate sunset which closes another of God’s glorious days. To the touch of a gentle breeze, which is God’s reminder that He is close by. The delicate hues of a rainbow in God’s spring shower. Intricate colors mixed just right and on display for such a short time, they make you pause and wonder.

God’s rainbow, His covenant of Love for His chosen people. God’s rainbow connecting His Heaven to Earth. And, our Lord’s finest creative miracle, which is LOVE beyond words. The birth of a human child. I have two sons, whom I love with all my heart. I still remember the moment of their birth. Yes, indeed a loving and powerful miracle from God each one, Mark and David, my beloved sons.

Then, God’s greatest and eternal miracle. Salvation, we are saved by the pure and precious blood of Jesus, His risen Son.

Now this is a miracle we all praise God our Father for each day. The miracle which is the salvation paid for by the precious and pure blood of the Lamb of God.

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2, ESV)

but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. (Romans 5:8–9, ESV)

The true miracle of God’s love is forgiveness. As hard as we try, we cannot and shall not, of our own power be perfect. This is where God our Father shows to each of us His everlasting love. In our imperfection, God sent Jesus, His perfect and Beloved Son.

Jesus came to earth. The much awaited and prophesied Messiah. But He came not as people had expected. Our Lord and our Savior was born to a virgin, Mary. Jesus did not have a human father. God is the Father of Jesus. He was born in a stable, and laid to sleep in a manger.

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. (Luke 1:30–31, ESV)

behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:20b, ESV)

The miracle which is salvation. God’s eternal and overwhelming love in the form of Christ’s sacrifice. God our Father sent His beloved Son as the perfect substitute for all sinners. Jesus Christ is the only one who is perfect and unblemished before God. Our Lord, Jesus is the only one who is able to pay the price on our behalf for our sins. Christ is our substitute. The atonement, the one who paid the price so God turns our sins aside.

Christ Jesus, God’s beloved Son, is the price paid so we once more can step into the Holy presence of Almighty God. From the moment of salvation till eternity. By Jesus sacrificing His very life for you and for me. Christ pathed the way to the Kingdom of God, our eternal Home. In God we trust and have our life in Jesus. Amen!

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3, ESV)

God loves you, and He always will!

This article is also published in Medium:

https://medium.com/the-dove/in-god-we-trust-living-in-god-gives-hope-cdcae929afc9

If God someway blessed, you through this article. Please send me a comment, Diane Markey.