Hope in Him

"The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy" (NIV - "in His unfailing love" - Psalm 147:11)

A lot of those in ministry can be compared to people who go around giving advice to those who are happier than they are. The unfortunate truth is, we tend to become mere information providers, when you and I should be giving HOPE to all we meet. The HOPE everybody needs, is based in something much larger and more wonderful than "factoids" of data, even when it's based on a variety of Scriptures. True hope is based in the Person and finished work of God, of Jesus Christ on the cross, who died for you and for me.

I have been a worrier, who comes from a family of worriers; someone who has been around worriers (defined as other members of humanity) most (all) of my life. But the HOPE we need, mercifully starts to erode our worry, as shown in our verse for this morning: "The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy" (Psalm 147:11). The phrase "who hope in His mercy" can also be translated "who hope in His unfailing love", and His love will indeed give hope to those who trust in Him.

Psalm 33:18 is very similar to "our" verse for today, and it reads "Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy." That Psalm continues "To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine" ( Psalm 33:19). You can trust in the Lord for a very good reason - He loves you, and He longs to express MERCY in your life and mine (if only we would LET Him). And He actually DID extend mercy to you, when Jesus died for the sins of the world. The "famine" of your soul is SATISFIED in Him.

The key to understanding Him is found in His love. Not our love, which is limited, at best, but HIS love, which is infinite in application, in your life and in mine. This kind of love is seen in 1 John 4:18, where we are taught "there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment, but he who fears has not been made perfect in love", and then the key: "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). His love within you is contagious, and will, in turn, produce love in others, in the people we meet – even the "difficult" ones (those most like we are).

"Fear" and "worry" are rather nasty blood brothers, producing the "torment" described in verse 18, of 1st John 4. The nagging concerns in your life are dealt with (by His love). You'll discover that many of the fears that drag you down and isolate you from others (fear is at the opposite "pole" from love), are not worth either your time or your worry about them. All too late, many will find they gave their lives to worry, when they should have trusted in the Lord.

God called me back to "school" (the message on my heart was to return to college), where I sought and obtained a four year degree entitled "Religion with Emphasis in Bible" from an accredited college. I thought that would open the doors to ministry in LARGE ways, and I worried a lot when the doors seemed small (to me). (Did I make a mistake?) But what I did not realize was that our real job is so much more than our human perspective: We are to become a people of faith in God, who trust in and exude His love, and HOPE in Him.

It is one thing to learn about the Bible and it is another to trust in Him. It is one kind of learning to be taught about producing effective sermons, and it is something else to discover how to love other people. It is wonderful to memorize Scripture verses, but even better to have faith in Him. It is excellent to have doctrinal understanding, but it's more valuable to HOPE in the finished work of God.

I LOVE Mary Magdalene, and I am so GLAD she is included in the Word of God. The Pharisees had a lot of information, but she KNEW she was forgiven, and had something much better than they did - INFINITELY better than anything they knew or understood. With understanding of His love, His mercy, comes hope, for He loves us without limit. When we know His love, our preconceptions and limitations will be blown apart, as we finally KNOW the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

"The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy" (NIV - "in His unfailing love" - Psalm 147:11). In the factual movie "Chariots of Fire", the great runner Eric Liddell said of God, "When I run, I feel His pleasure". God had created this man to not only race for speed, but to run for God. When he ran, he was in God's will. He would not run on Sunday, which was his personal conviction, and each of us should follow the convictions of our heart. He became famous, not only for his running abilities, but also because of his fidelity to our Lord.

What race are YOU running? There is greatness in you, also, because you are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14) by the God who loves you. He has great plans for you, though it may be years or decades, or into eternity, before we even begin to fully understand what all this is about. Because of His mercy, because of His love, you can HOPE in Him. You can have all of the excitement of Mary Magdalene, though you outwardly may have little, and live in a small room, a wheelchair, or a confined place. Even so, your potential HAS NO LIMIT in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

This life is but a MOMENT in time, whereas He has saved you for all eternity. You and I think in terms of outward "accomplishment", whereas He "takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy." Put your trust, your hope, and your love, in CHRIST, and never be afraid again. Why? Because He loves You, and He has unlimited MERCY, even for people like you and me. We can know His pleasure when we HOPE in Him.

Father, I trust in You, now. You sent Jesus to me, and He died in my place. I confess to you that I have worried (and still do), instead of simply trusting in You, in Him. Fill me, Holy Spirit, and replace my fear with the love of God which is in our Lord. I trust in You, Jesus. I receive the mercy, the grace, the love, and the hope You have made available to me; even to me. Thank You, Lord. I praise Your Holy Name. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
ron@fridaystudy.org