Recently, I witnessed a promise that God gave me 22 years ago fulfilled. This was a big promise— not one that I could ever make happen in my own strength but one that demanded that I rely and trust in His ways and timing exactly.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
I must admit that through the years, watching and waiting for this particular promise to come to pass— I wondered if it had been lost or if I would see it in my lifetime. I watched as it appeared to get further from being fulfilled rather than closer. I also had a few seasons throughout these 22 years that it looked as if it was just about to be fulfilled and then like a fire being dowsed with water— the flame of this desire being fulfilled was once again put out.
I had a dream five years ago that renewed my hope and faith in seeing this promise fulfilled once again. This dream spoke to how it would be fulfilled and yet once again— it was beyond my ability or strength to make happen. I could only stand in faith while hoping and praying.
Then, in hope against hope, this past weekend it was fulfilled and fulfilled in a way that was beyond my imagination. It was better, more beautiful, and carried such perfect timing with it. It turns out that it was far more the Lord’s dream and longing than mine. It was promised to me but it belonged to him.
I won’t go into all of the details of what happened because it would take an entire book to explain but I wanted to say to you, “Don’t lose hope!” God is faithful and his ways are mysterious and wonderful. Though you may not understand the journey that you are on today— there will be a day that you look back and say, “His ways, his timing, and the ordering of my steps were perfect.”
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7
There is such a war over hope but those in Christ are bound as prisoners of hope. We cannot let go of hope without violating faith or violating love. Hope is the vehicle that carries us to the moment of fulfillment and if we abandon that vehicle it will surely be replaced with a vehicle of disappointment, despair, or even anger. And that will drive you to places that you do not want to go.
SO— Hope in the Lord!
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
It is not too late to return to the stronghold of hope (your vehicle of hope). Abandon every other stronghold that drives you away from God. He is faithful and you can return to the joy that accompanies hope.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Purchase Kathi’s book The Yielding: A Lifestyle of Surrender here.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Inscribe Ministries
Featured Image by Joe from Pixabay
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