Not Disappointed

Romans 5:5 "and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

Being let down is the result of misplaced hope. Everyone has experienced this; we set expectations in hope that someone or something will fulfill those expectations. When they aren't met, we grieve at our unfulfilled investment and generally blame the thing we hoped in for letting us down. So where is well placed hope?

We can turn our hope inward and grope for gratification in our accomplishments, we can turn our hope outward and search for satisfaction in people and possessions, or we can turn our hope upward and find fulfillment in the unchanging, never-failing God of love who gladly gives grace without restraint to everyone who would have it! Just as it is written..."whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." (Romans 9:33)

Happy Tribulations

Romans 5:3-4 "we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;"

The sovereignty of God is so full, so complete, that even the most difficult times are designed to produce hope. This is the mystery of His mercy; to bring discomfort and to build strength, to wound and to heal, to try and to teach. The result proves worthwhile; hope in God increases as we are utterly lost in complex and unsolvable situations. Hard times tend to strip away self-worth. In those times, when there is nothing left to admire in yourself, nothing noble or strong, wise or eloquent, charming or tasteful, but only the exposed short-comings of a rebellious heart, that is when God's grace is realized.

This is the most liberating realization! In me is nothing but in God is everything and in Him I have everything. I can happily empty myself of any sense of entitlement and receive God's grace the way it is given, as a gift.