HOPE...

I'm inspired to write again because of "hearing" the scriptures which were shared yesterday in our Church Service. Even a familiar scripture can simply JUMP off the page when shared "under the anointing."  That's how I feel about the following:   

1 Thess. 4:13-18 

"The Hope of the Resurrection

13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words."

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I have a new Life Application Bible and the commentary is quite enlightening. Regarding the above passage, it reads: "As with every member of the human family, first-century Christians came face to face with their mortality.  Many of them met early deaths at the hands of those who hated Christ and all allied with Him.  Whether at the hands of zealous Jews (like Saul before his conversion), angry Greeks, or ruthless Roman authorities, persecution included stonings, beatings, crucifixions, torture, and death.  To be a follower of Christ meant to give up everything.

Paul established the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey (about A.D. 51).  He wrote this letter a short time later to encourage the young believers there.  He wanted to assure them of his love, to raise them for their faithfulness during persecution, and to remind them of the HOPE--the sure return of their Lord and Savior.

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Paul comforts the Thessalonians by reminding them of the hope of resurrection (4:13-18).  Then he WARNS them to be prepared at all times, for Jesus Christ could return at any moment.  When Christ returns, those Christians who are alive and those who have died will be raised to new life (5:1-11). 

Paul then gives the Thessalonians a handful of reminders on how to prepare themselves for the Second Coming:  Warn the lazy (5:14), encourage the timid (5:14),help the weak (5:14), be patient with everyone (5:14), be kind to everyone (5:15), be joyful always (5:16), pray continually (5:17), give thanks (5:18), test everything that is taught (5:20,21), and avoid evil (5:22)." 

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Daniel was given a "vision" regarding future events.  As he sought to understand the vision he was visited by an "archangel."  Again, here is what the Life Application Bible Commentary says about Chapter 10:10-18--

"Daniel was frightened by this vision, but the messenger reassured him. Daniel lost his speech, but the messenger's touch restored it.  Daniel felt weak and helpless, but   the messenger's words strengthened him.  God can bring us healing when we are hurt, peace when we are troubled, and strength when we are weak.  Trust God to minister to you as he did to Daniel.......

10:12, 13--........Answers to our prayers may be hindered by unseen obstacles. Don't expect God's answers to come too easily or too quickly.  Prayer may be challenged by evil forces, so pray fervently and pray earnestly.  Then EXPECT God to answer at the right time."

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I was also reminded of a picture we often find in Christian Bookstores.  It is the one of Jesus' Footprints walking in the sand Alone:

I hope that anyone challenged to believe Jeremiah 29:8-13 has this word to say...another reason for us to HOPE for what we are asking, believing for:

"This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says:  'Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you.  Do not listen to their dreams, because they are telling you lies in my name.  I have not sent them,' says the Lord.

This is what the Lord says:  'You will be in Babylon for seventy years.  But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.  For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord.  'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a HOPE.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."

We can all "have HOPE" because He Lives to make intercession for us:>)