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TREASURE HUNT
OUR HOPE
“….the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope…” (1 Timothy 1:1)
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand—all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.” These are the words to an old hymn that I remember singing as a little girl in the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. When I think back on those times, I can remember sitting and watching the old “saints” as they nodded their heads, and hearing the patting of their feet on the hard floor as they kept rhythm to the beat of the song. Tears streamed down some faces, and smiles lightened up others as they sung the words with such happiness and joy. As I watched, I can see people standing with their hands uplifted whispering the words “thank you Jesus”, and then I would hear my grandmother shouting in the choir stand and screaming “hallelujah”.
As a little girl, I use to wonder what made the people act this way when they sang such songs. What did they have to be so happy about? Most of these people were not rich. Some, including myself, lived in the projects. Many had fixed incomes and were not sure where their next dollar was coming from. So what was it? As I grew older, and received my own personal, intimate relationship with God, I began to understand that what they had was hope. Not hope in material things. Not hope in the government. Not even hope in people, but they had hope in God. They knew that God was their source, and that He will “never leave you nor forsake you,” (Hebrew 13:5).
As we all are affected and buckling under the weight of this failing economy, let us not look to the government for bail out or to carry this heavy load. Isaiah 9:6 says for unto us a Child is borne, unto us a Son is given and the government (the economy, the system) shall be upon his shoulders. Psalm 55:22 says “Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.” Matthew 11:28 (Amp.) goes on to further say “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. (I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.)
During this month of elections, let us “keep our eyes on Jesus…. (Hebrews 12:2 Message Bible). For “the Lord Jesus Christ is our hope.” (I Timothy 1:1). Talk to ya next time! Love ya.
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