Living in Anticipation

Anticipation can be almost as good as the actual event or item we wait for. That’s one reason why we love the Christmas season. The extended period of joyful expectation is half of the fun.

Strangely, even when anticipations are tempered by doubt or fear—or when prospects appear negative—we fare better than when we live with no expectations. The things we anticipate give shape and meaning to daily events. They provide direction and purpose.

The Israelites lived in anticipation—they waited centuries for their Messiah. And while they waited, God spoke to them through the prophets. The book of Isaiah tells us, He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arms, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young. (Is. 40:11 NKJV)

Perhaps the Israelites failed to see the promises were with them all the time. When they walked in doubt or fear, God gave them hope. When they sinned and faced judgment, He directed their vision beyond their circumstances to the joy of receiving forgiveness. Walking in God’s promises requires trust. The Israelites needed to believe that He loved them and to anticipate that He would move in their lives.

Originally published December 11, 1992

It Lasts Forever

Many of us probably feasted on traditional turkey dinners with all the trimmings on Thanksgiving Day, and now we are eating leftovers.

Some may also have used Thanksgiving Day as a time to think of material blessings—and to be thankful for them. And now we can be thankful for leftovers!

Life would be tough without God's blessings—including necessities, leftovers, and even some of our luxuries. But there is another blessing we should remember during the Thanksgiving season: In his great mercy he [God] has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (I Pet. 1:3b NIV)

This blessing is more important than food, shelter, clothing—or any of the less vital, but enjoyable benefits of comfortable living. Although the new birth cannot be touched or seen, it will last forever.

God gives the new birth as a spiritual feast to all who come to Him, and we never grow tired of it as we do with physical food. There will always be enough to satisfy us over and over. The new birth is an eternal blessing that offers consistent hope and joy, an inheritance can never perish, spoil or fade. . . . (v. 4a) It comes to us directly from God—and will be with us when other blessings fail.

Originally published Novemer 25, 1988.

Picture: Potted plant on deck, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

A Living Hope

When Nicodemus came with questions in the night, Jesus said to him, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (Jn. 3:3b NIV)

Nicodemus did not understand the idea of being born again. And he did not understand that spiritual life is a gift.

But in the Old Testament, God had revealed this truth through the prophet Ezekiel. God said He would remove sin and place a fresh, clean heart and spirit in people who turn to Him. (Ezekiel 36)

Receiving a new heart is equivalent to being born again. But Nicodemus either had not learned or did not understand Ezekiel’s prophecy. He did not know that God gives new hearts—and that they cannot be earned. New hearts come by grace through faith.

Peter called the transformation that occurs when a person receives a new heart a new birth into a living hope. (I Pet. 1:3a) When we receive Jesus, He brings His life. We are born again. We experience a new birth. And we walk in a living hope because He lives within us.

Originally published July 29, 1983.

God's Displeasure

King David brought the loosely-knit tribes of Israel together and formed them into a world power. During his reign, enemies on every side were subdued and humbled. Wealth poured into the nation's coffers.

But God never stopped dealing with David as an individual. In spite of all his accomplishments, David was still a human being and a sinner.

Psalm 39 reveals the inner struggles of a man who had to deal with the reality of sin and its consequences. David was weighed down by God’s displeasure. He said, You rebuke and discipline men for their sin . . . I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger. . . . (Ps. 39:11,12 NIV)

Is it possible that, at some point, David thought his position as king placed him on a pedestal of sorts? Perhaps he felt he no longer needed to face his sin. When God began to deal with him, his first thought was to hide his wrongdoing. He said, I will watch my ways. . . . (v. 1)

But it did not work. He describes what happened: My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned. . . . (v. 3) Those of us who have tried to walk this road can only smile ruefully in recognition. The pain is real.

Out of pure desperation, David changed his direction. He turned his thoughts toward God and he opened up his heart for scrutiny by this God who offered salvation. He prayed, But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Save me. . . . (v. 7)

Originally published September 9, 1983 and September 5, 1986.

Picture: Palm trees, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

The Precious Blood

We do not generally think of silver or gold as perishable, but Peter said, it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed . . . but with the precious blood of Christ . . . . (I Pet. 1:18a,19a NIV)

Think about the value of silver and gold. Vessels or eating utensils made of sterling silver are often heirlooms, passed from one generation to another. As are gold wedding rings, watches, and other gold objects. In fact, the enduring qualities of silver and gold are such that they can be fashioned and refashioned over and over to suit our purposes.

Nevertheless, earthly treasures are only as stable as our temporary material world. Although the value of silver and gold is considered great, they have no value when confronted by the eternal or spiritual realm.

The precious blood of Jesus remains priceless in any realm. In this life, it brings “new birth into a living hope. . . .” (v. 3b) In the eternal realm, Jesus’ blood provides an “inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. . . . (v. 4a) His blood is precious indeed.

Originally published February 25, 1983.
Picture: Commercial landscape, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Hope and an Inheritance

Paul knew nothing about Lent as we experience it—about a time of the year when many Christians focus specifically on Christ’s sacrifice for sin. But he knew Jesus. He wrote in one of his Epistles, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe. . . . (Eph. 1:18b,19a NKJV)

Jesus died to give us hope and an inheritance. Hope because He offers forgiveness to people overwhelmed by guilt and despair. An inheritance because He offers blessings on earth and in heaven. God’s power arranged these gifts for His people.

Think of it. Although Lent is a somber time, it’s also a time of great joy. God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. The Son secured victory over sin when He defeated Satan.

Yes, we should think soberly about His sacrifice. It’s also appropriate to reflect on the joy of Jesus and the Father. They accomplished their purpose by giving us hope and an inheritance.

God is good. He’s very, very good.

Originally posted February 8, 1991.

God's Gift of Hope

Today is Valentine’s Day, a day for sending gifts and messages of affection to tell special people we love them.

Every day is Valentine’s Day for God. He constantly sends gifts and messages of love through the Holy Spirit. We receive them when we read Scripture, when we pray, when we love others, when we receive love from others, when we enjoy His creation. As we live our daily lives, there are times when He breathes a sense of His presence into our hearts. He sends hope to eager hearts.

For hope is one of God’s gifts of love. Paul said in his letter to the Romans that one purpose of Scripture is to strengthen hope in God’s people. For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scripture might have hope. (Rom. 15:4 NKJV)

Life without hope is a bleak affair. When people suffer from hopelessness, they struggle with depression. Sometimes it is hard to receive God’s gift and message of hope. But God never stops giving to them. He never tires of sending His love and His hope. Ask Him to open hearts to receive His messages of hope this Valentine’s Day and throughout the year.

Originally published February 14, 1992.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, MN, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

New Beginnings

When life becomes difficult—and life can become difficult or even devastating—we actually need the concept of new beginnings. Perhaps that’s why for many people, a new year is a time of hope and anticipation. It symbolizes new beginnings.

We just want a fresh start.

Jesus came to offer a new beginning to the people of His time. They responded with joy and hope. Even when He withdrew from the crowds to be by Himself, a great multitude from Galilee followed Him . . . He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. (Mk. 3:7,10 NKJV)

Whatever our circumstances, our problems, or our fears, Jesus offers a new beginning to us as well. We simply have to reach out to Him—invite His presence into our lives. Then we can accept the fresh start He offers. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right be become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. . . . (Jn. 1:12)

Originally published December 31, 1987