Keep Hope Alive

Keep Hope Alive

Saturday, 3 August

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Romans 4:16-24 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

MORE LESSON: Job 14:7-9 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. 8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; 9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

God called Abraham and promised him a child at age 75 but at about 100, the child had still not come. At a point, Abraham got so weary that he suggested to God that Eleazar his servant should become his first son but God insisted that He would give him his own son. Abraham could have thought that God was already late because he was 100 years old. He would have concluded that no child would come anymore, as the situation seemed hopeless. However, it is written concerning Abraham that ...he against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be: Rom 4:18. Abraham kept hope alive even when all hope seemed to be lost. God is amazing and no situation is hopeless as far as he is concerned. If your case seems hopeless, I want you to know that God is a specialist in hopeless situations. When men call it hopeless, that is when God loves to show up. 

When you get to the point where things cannot work anymore, there are two things you can do.

1. Don't give up hope. Even when there is evidence that things will not work anymore, keep hope alive. Don't ever conclude that a matter has gone beyond redemption. There is no situation that He cannot redeem. With God, there are no impossibilities and there is no lateness. Whenever God shows up, that is the right time for action. 

2. Take up responsibility. Abraham kept fulfilling the covenant of God; he gave tithes (Genesis14:18-20), entertained strangers (Genesis18:1-8), kept the circumcision and did all other things he should do. Do not say that what you are expecting is not forthcoming and so decide that you will stop doing what you should do for God and men. There are certain responsibilities we must take even in the midst of hopeless situations. When you are in a hopeless situation keep doing the right things. Keep believing, keep serving God, keep building capacity, keep doing the works that align with your faith and stay diligent in prayer. Do not resign to hopelessness and sit down doing nothing. Don't give in to complaining and murmuring about your situation.

Also, when situations seem hopeless, you must take heed to cut off everything that can hinder you from seeing the hand of God in your life. Remember; the Hand of the Lord is not too short that it cannot deliver but your sins have separated you from me: Isaiah 59:1- 2. Deal with every known and unknown sin; confess it, repent and forsake it, and God will not have a reason for not answering you. God is good; keep your hope alive in Him.

Prayer/Action

* Thank God for access to His promises over your life. 

* Pray against distractions from holding onto the promises of God.

* Give God praise because you know that He is coming through for you.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Oh LORD, in the hollow of Your hand my destiny is secured, in this new month of August in Jesus' mighty name.