HOPE, THE CROWN JEWEL
The Bible does not promise us a life of happiness, free from suffering. But God does hold out the crown jewel of hope for every one who puts his trust in Him. What form does this hope take? Isaiah 54 gives us some answers.
- The hope of prosperity
Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back;
lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes (v3).
The tent of those who hope in the Lord will stretch far and wide. The gospel has a tendency to grow, like a tiny mustard seed becoming a large plant. Prosperity inevitably follows.
- The hope of honor
Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood (v4).
When God who is above every power and authority honors you for your faith, it naturally follows that all earthly authorities will come to honor you.
- The hope of reversal
For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back (v7).
Failure is never permanent for those who wait upon the Lord. Reversal comes faster that one can imagine.
- The hope of everlasting love
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you (v10).
No one loves like the Lord does and no one continues to love like He does. It is truly incredible that God’s love predates ours, is not a response to ours and will last forever.
- The hope of strength
No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you (v17).
This is the strength that enables a small boy like David to take on the giant Goliath. A passive onlooker fails to understand the courage emanating thereof, but for a disciple it is only a natural sequel of the realization that within the spiritual realm, he holds a great advantage, that of God being on his side.
Hope is the crown jewel that stabilizes a disciple’s life and helps him to get far, both in this life and one the come.
