Adapted...

 

Adapted from Denison Forum

As sons and daughters of the living God, faith founded on God's nearness should be at the core of our hope throughout a lifetime of faith.

Scripture says:

"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you." Psalm 139:7-12

There is no greater source of hope than God's resounding declaration of His nearness. Jesus paid the ultimate price that you and I might be no longer separated from God. His presence now dwells within us through the Holy Spirit. And that fact brings a pervasive hope that has the ability to profoundly impact every aspect of our lives.

As you look forward, know that the God who dwells within you knows every little thing that will happen next year and throughout your life. He dwells within all of eternity. Time for Him is not as it is for us. And He promises to be with you in the midst of any trial, pain, victory or defeat. He longs for you to know His presence moment by moment in everything you will do.

Your heavenly Father says, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).

You can have the fullness of hope because the God who fashioned time is "your God." He will help you and be there for you. He will never "leave you or forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).

While the rest of the world sits in fear and worry over what the future holds, your God is leading you in the path of peace that comes from trusting in His presence. But the choice is yours. Will you place your hope in yourself, others, the world or in God?

If you try to build your hope on the foundations of this world, you will find yourself tossed about by the ever-changing waves of man's opinion and your circumstances. But if you choose to establish your hope on the rock of God's nearness, your life will be filled with all the goodness and mercy of Christ’s steadfast love.

Take time right now to place your hope in the loving nearness of your heavenly Father as you commit your future to Him.

Why do we live as if God isn't near to us?

Why do we fumble through life on our own when Jesus paid the ultimate price that we might have restored relationship with our loving Creator?

God has made available a better way of living, and called us to walk in it. He wants us to know His will, His love and His power moment by moment.

He wants our thoughts, emotions and actions to be fully founded in His unshakable nearness.

Paul's prayer in Romans 15:13 is a great prayer for you today:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

May your day and all your tomorrows be filled with the peace that comes from trusting in God's nearness.