Hanging!

Sometimes people leave us hanging. Because of past experience of them not showing up, we are left waiting and wondering if they will. Sometimes we see others fail to follow through with something they said they would do and are again left hanging as to whether it will be taken care of. Due to such experiences with others it is possible to become discouraged and lose hope. Though we may be let down by others and may even find ourselves letting others down due to unforeseen circumstances, let this not become our view toward God.

In Paul's letter to the church at Rome we read. . .
"(4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that THROUGH ENDURANCE AND THROUGH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE SCRIPTURES WE MIGHT HAVE HOPE." ( Romans 15:4 ESV)

God's Word is filled with an encouraging track record of His faithfulness. The Scriptures are dotted with so many encouraging promises He can be trusted to fulfill. (note Numbers 23:19 and Joshua 23:14) On this we can hang our HOPE. And as we endure, we continue to have the HOPE of salvation Jesus assured for those who will hang in there to the end. ( Matthew 10:22) That patient endurance exercised through the tough times keeps us moving toward the full realization of the HOPE God holds out to us.

With a focus fixed on God, let us not give up, but rather continue pressing on. After all, God is the GOD OF ENDURANCE and the GOD OF ENCOURAGEMENT. ( Romans 15:5) He is also the GOD OF HOPE ( Romans 15:13), providing the means for us to abound in HOPE. Therefore, let us continue hanging our HOPE on God as we hang in there through life's challenges.

Have a great day WITH FOCUS FULLY FIXED ON GOD'S FAITHFULNESS!
Carl

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