The Hope That Does Not Disappoint!
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5 NKJV
As an inspirational writer, people often ask me how they can keep “the faith” when they’re going through some very tough times. I remember having a conversation with a friend of mine, a fellow believer, who said that because of the difficult situations going on in his life and the lives of other Christians that he knows, that his faith was being tried. If your faith hasn’t been tried yet, then just keep living.
Peter told us in 1 Peter 1:7 that our faith would be on trial! And not only that, but it would be tried by FIRE! So, my dear friends, yes — your faith, and mine, WILL be tried. It’s not a maybe, it’s a will be. Tough economic conditions, heartaches, and sicknesses affect Christians too.
Jesus said in John 16:33, in this world you WILL have tribulation…
But there’s GOOD NEWS!
That wasn’t all that He said! He said you will have tribulation in this world, BUT be of good cheer because He has overcome the world!!
In Isaiah 43:2, GOD said that when you pass THROUGH the waters, He’ll be with you. And when you go THROUGH the rivers, they won’t overtake you! He went on to say that when you walk THROUGH the fire, you will NOT be burned, nor will the flames scorch you!
David said in the 23rd Psalm that even though he’s walking THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death, he’s not afraid because the LORD is with him!!
You see, we’re only going THROUGH the problem. We’re NOT staying there!!
Paul said it this way in 2 Corinthians 4 - “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet NOT crushed; we are perplexed, but NOT in despair; persecuted, but NOT forsaken; struck down, but NOT destroyed.” There’s always hope in Jesus!
Paul also said in Romans 5, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
You see, we need to be like our Father and see the end from the beginning. When you’re faced with a trial of your faith, remember that you’re just passing THROUGH the challenges, issues, and setbacks - looking toward the finish line - which is the HOPE of seeing GOD getting the glory out of your situation! The above scripture says we are to GLORY in the tribulations! Why? Because trials are NOT designed to take you out - they’re for your own good! The way we react to the trial will determine how long we go through it — but you see, we’re ONLY supposed to go through — which means we’re supposed TO COME OUT on the other side better than when the trial started!
How do I know? Because the scripture says that not only do we glory IN tribulations, but the tribulations WILL produce perseverance, character, AND hope!
How do I know that you’re coming out of it? Because if you go back a little further, the same scripture says that you’re already justified! And not only that but you have peace with GOD through Jesus Christ! And not only that but YOU’RE STANDING IN THE GRACE OF GOD!!
GOD has already given you the sufficient amount of grace that you’re going to need to not only go THROUGH, but to come out! You’re not going to drown, you won’t burn up, nor will you be destroyed — but you’re coming out to give GOD the glory.
Hold on to your hope in JESUS, He won’t disappoint you!
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Susan Shipe
March 3, 2011 at 6:35 am
Aleysha, you already know that I am going to give you & God a huge, hearty, and full of hope AMEN! My favorite topic is HOPE and you said it so well - so clearly. There are things I read and think, "Man, I wish I had written this!" This is one of those! Beautifully written. ♥
Aleysha Proctor
March 3, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Awww… Thank you so much Susan!! Glory to GOD!
Peggy Hoefl
March 3, 2011 at 6:54 am
Fantastic word — so encouraging. Many will be blessed and encouraged by your word.
Aleysha Proctor
March 3, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Thank you so much Peggy! To GOD be the glory!! He's encouraging His people to not give up on Him!!
Kenyatta Johnson
March 3, 2011 at 10:01 am
This is a word for the people. I hope you continue to write and share what God has given you. Many blessings, Kenyatta P.S. I miss seeing you!
Aleysha Proctor
March 3, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Thank you so much Kenyatta! The LORD always has a Word of His people - I'm so glad that He uses me!! I miss seeing you too, let me know when you're back in the area.
LJ
March 3, 2011 at 10:57 am
So inspiring! Thank you Aleysha! Many will be blessed by this word. I know it has blessed me!
Aleysha Proctor
March 3, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Thank you so much Lisa! To GOD be the glory!!
Debbie Carthorn
March 3, 2011 at 11:18 am
Go ahead and preach, girl!! We can all relate to the message!! To God be all the Glory for the victory He has given us and causing us to always triumph through Christ Jesus!!
Aleysha Proctor
March 3, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Amen Sis!! GOD is faithful to His Word!!
Thank you.
Anjela Proctor- Tala
March 3, 2011 at 11:27 am
This is GOOD! You have no idea how many people God is using you to bless and give hope to by speading his ture and living word. Just keep on living and you will see how ture his words are! Continue to be a blessing.
Aleysha Proctor
March 3, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Thank you so much Sis!! The LORD is good and He WILL see us THROUGH!!
Aleysha Proctor
March 3, 2011 at 12:29 pm
You know, GOD is soooo good! When you're going "through", you're not alone. In both, Isaiah 43 and Psalm 23 — He's right there with you as you move forward.
Heather Palacios
March 3, 2011 at 1:14 pm
For the rest of my life, I will repeating this to myself: "I am only going THROUGH"
Man, If I was into tat's, I'd get those 5 words tatt'ed on me so I'd never forget them.
Great Hope Post. Thank you!
Aleysha Proctor
March 3, 2011 at 5:33 pm
You are very welcomed!
YES - you're only going THROUGH it, and the LORD is right there with you - fanning the flames so you won't burn up and holding back the rivers so you won't drown!!
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 3, 2011 at 7:03 pm
I will never forget taking a prayer walk one day, to talk out some things on my mind and heart with God. I was troubled and filled with questions. A friend was going through some heartbreaking times with her son, and I was asking God, "Why?" This friend was a good parent. She had mentored me in the faith. She had done all the right things. I just felt that since she had done all the *right* things, her child would (and should) naturally turn out well. It all seemed so unfair.
And then, it was as if God whispered, "Who told you that? Who ever promised you that?" (That if we, as Christians do the right things, somehow God owes us a right, in our eyes, result.)
I literally stopped dead in my tracks on that dusty road, and my eyes got big, and I said (out loud), "I don't know…"
And then, in the quiet heartbeats that followed, it was if the Lord said to my heart, "I never promised you that, Stephanie. In fact, I told you that in this world, you would have tribulations."
I realized that Satan had whispered some lies to me that I had believed. And needless to say, I adjusted my attitude quickly, realizing that God's blessings flow from who He is, not who we are. And I remembered the second part of that scripture, that promised that we should be of good cheer, because He has overcome the world.
The first part of your post captures my lesson that day, and the second part finishes the good news, and offers our glorious hope.
Thanks for this.
Aleysha Proctor
March 4, 2011 at 4:09 am
You are very welcomed Stephanie! Thanks so much for sharing your testimony and revelation with us.
God bless you!