Setting My Hope

Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us. 2 Corinthians 1:9, 10 (New International Version)

There are times when God brings us into situations and circumstances, allows things to happen, and directs our steps in such a way as to show us our need for Him to deliver us. These are not the times to muster up strength and courage on our own. These are not the times to rely upon our own ingenuities, abilities, or creativity. These are not the times to rely upon others to set us free. When all hope in ourselves and in others finally dies, we are then in a position to finally set our hope on the only One who can truly set us free.

For too many years in my Christian life I have attempted to either set myself free of habits, addictions, and mindsets, or I have looked to others to do it for me. I can tell you now THAT is a hard way to live your life. It leaves you depleted, discouraged, and dismayed. It attempts to make people the sources they were never intended to be. Until I see God as my hope and my deliverer I will continue to live in bondage to one thing or another. Bondage to my emotions, bondage to my addictions, bondage to my longings, bondage to my needs, bondage to my idols.

Last week I came to the bottom. I was spiritually and emotionally spent. I begged for assurance from those who loved and cared for me. I asked for prayer from those whom I knew would pray. I feared that things could and would never be different for me. I knew in myself I did not possess the hope to change myself. I quickly saw that others also did not. What happened? I became acutely aware that there was still hope in Christ. That anything that was holding me captive was no match for Him.

That hope sparked in me a readiness and willingness to finally set my sites and hope on the One who was waiting all along. The realization that He is my Deliverer, my Satisfier, my Security, my Source, and my Sustainer began to set things in motion. It took the responsibility for my freedom off my shoulders and off the shoulders of those I had been looking to and placed it squarely on the only shoulders capable of sustaining such responsibilities. Learning to be consumed and obsessed with God rather than with myself or others is new for me. The battles are not over but I enter the battlefield changed.

Father, I could weep for the joy of experiencing what it means to set my hope on You. Amen.

Knowing You, Jesus - Robin Mark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGbuz8QuhmE

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.