If Christ is our hope,
what great hope it is indeed. The hope of forgiveness, deliverance, and a
brighter day, a new heaven, and a new earth. Scripture teaches that all those found on its pages, died
longing for the same hope we do. We read, “These
all died by way of faith, not having received the promises, but having seen
them afar off. And they were persuaded of them and embraced them and confessed
that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Hebrews 11:13 MKJV)
Our challenge today, like theirs, is to completely “embrace” our hope, and to
live “fully persuaded.” Scripture teaches that the sin which so easily besets
us, is doubt and fear. These are overcome but by one thing, and one thing
alone, time each day with Christ! It is in those private and intimate moments each
day that He reassures us. When we try to live apart from intimacy with Christ,
our faith becomes an arduous exercise, something that serves in many ways to be
self-defeating, this as we are forced to humanly exert ourselves contrary to
nature, to believe . However, when one lives intimately with Christ, like a
child who is sent off to school each day by his or her mom, they find new
comfort and assurance in knowing they are loved, cared for, and that there is a
place called home upon which to return. We must remember for a child, the
moments getting ready for school, are as, if not more important, than the events
of the day itself. Having a mom and dad, a home, and the love it represents are
the very things that get our young ones through the day and the same is true of
us as Gods children. Let God get you ready for the day, by spending time with
Him before you set out, let Him reassure you that you are loved, cared for, and
that there is a home to go to when this journey is over and you will find it
much easier to fully embrace your faith and live victoriously fully persuaded!
Rev. Joel M McDuffie Jr.
7/11/2016
