hope

Out of the backdrop of the context of the shoot of hope coming up out of what appeared to be a dead stump quoted in Romans 15, comes Romans 15:13 which beckons,

“May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

In these days, my mind keeps swirling back again and again to the words in Luke 1:45 of Elizabeth when Mary came to visit her while both women were expecting. Expecting babies, and so much more through all that the Lord had spoken. 

“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

The Lord keeps assuring me in kindness and speaking so specifically, and even dramatically. It’s been one of those concentrated times where journals fill up with all of the Scriptures, circumstances, and specific prayers people had no way of knowing that only He could have orchestrated.

And yet… I wrestle pretty much daily with not wanting to presume what any specific fulfillment will be. He only promises to do what He has said, no less but no more. In my self protection, everything feels like presumption. And yet He continually washes me with assurance and light for each step. 

While I honestly do not feel entitled to any particular fulfillment, I do want to abound in hope. Yes, hope ultimately in Him as He is the perfect fulfillment of everything. Yet, He does have good things prepared for us to walk in here and now even with the ultimate fulfillment coming when we see Him face to face and fully know as we are fully known. 

I guess I can go back to the simple prayer of the father longing for his child to be made whole… “I do believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) As I too long to be made whole and to see a fulfillment of all that the Lord has spoken to me.