Hope, Watch, and Wait
Posted on December 14, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Freedom Fighters
“But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” –Romans 8:25
I added Hope to my last Freedom Fighter.
My house growing up at Christmas time was an exciting time of anticipation. We had a tree and all the lights but no presents, that is until Christmas morning. It was like a toy store moved to our den, way more than I needed for sure. Each year would bring with it a great expectation of what might come, but there was always that doubt that nothing would be there Christmas morning.
The Apostle Paul records, in my mind, one of the greatest portions of scripture in the Bible, Romans chapter 8. Starting off with our standing in Christ and the anticipation that comes with the hope we have in the promises of God. Just like the Christmases at my house, there was nothing under the tree but the hope I had, even though there was nothing there, yet it was exciting. That’s about as far as I can go with my Christmas morning analogy, when we put our hope in Christ there is no comparison, there is no doubt, only confidence.
This idea of hope is not easy, it takes patience and trust, but when we are found trusting it should include watching. The trio of “Hope, Watch and Wait” are fueled by being in God’s word, prayer and fellowship. Healthy fellowship with believers is vital to our walk with the Lord, it ignites a passion to be about the things of the God. Recently I was asked if the current events of our time were a sign that Jesus’ return is near. I simply said “Be about your Father’s business and get your house in order.”
So, “Hope, Watch and Wait” as we work, that’s pretty much the believer’s duty. The NLT says, “But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.” When we do get ourselves out of touch and doubt begins to set in, that’s where prayer comes in. The good news is we have help as we “Hope, Watch and Wait”, the next verse says, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words”.
So as we head into the time when we remember our Savior’s birth, don’t forget to “Hope, Watch and Wait”, The anticipation is exciting, Amen!
Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, he is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member. He is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.
The Daily Bible Reading: Song of Songs 1-4| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here
Daily Quote: “So let hope rise and darkness tremble.” – Hillsong
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
Want to get away & have dedicated time to read & learn God’s Word?
Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
