So naturally it would seem that I would need to explain the title “Hope not Forgotten” and typically I would lay it out plainly. It seems like the word has been used in so many ways recently politically and religiously. On top of that I understand that saying that the world is eager for something worth hoping in would be almost a bit of an understatement. Never the less, this Sunday we discussed hope and how a believer in Jesus perceives the world as we move forward in faith day to day. The book of Colossians I think points to this idea, but there is one verse in Romans 8 that really speaks clearly about the significance of hope and the inward groaning of expectancy the believer experiences as they peer into the future.
“And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”
The chapter continues in the mindset that the spirit “helps our weakness” and comes to the rescue when we know not how to pray. Everything is different! Everything changes within and we begin to moan inwardly for the redemption of our bodies! The spirit steps in. We look toward the future with eager focus on the “already, not yet” results of faith. Hope moves us. Hope grips us. Because we know that what is to come is so far sweeter than the now. So, hope over takes us in the now with courageous solidarity and conviction. It’s just far too easy for me to talk about it than it is to put into practice. I disregard the joy of this hope so often and allow my lack of faith to overshadow its presence. What fears me the most is how often I try to make up for my lack of faith and replace my clear insufficiencies with a “works” mentality. While I fool myself in to thinking I have hope in something greater, I fall back into relying upon everything else other than God. I rely upon my own ingenuity, my own strength, my own support system. Thank God for new eyes to see! Thank God that I can release and rely upon Him in moments of utter confusion.
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
(2Corinthians 5:18-21 ESVS)
Have you heard of OMusa? That is, Operation Mobilization USA. They are an organization that is working with missionaries around the world in church planing, evangelism and relief. One of their efforts which has really impacted me within the last two months is a school building project for the Dalit community. They are helping transform the Dalit community in India through building schools. The Dalit people of India are considered less than animals. Did you know Hindu Dalits are not allowed to go into Hindu temples? Their own religion rejects them. They’re denied education and given the worst jobs. Legally, they have no rights. They are mistreated, raped and murdered with no consequences for the perpetrators. The condition of these people is hopelessness at every turn of their lives without any escape. The hope for building schools is that the Dalits will be able to find an education that will equip them for opportunities to overcome this cycle of persecution they are born into. It is truly a remarkable effort to help these people visit www.omusa.org to learn more.
Reading through Psalms has really impacted moments of stagnation that I face. They often provide deep thought and worship moments on a daily basis. One verse that sits out among the others today was in chapter 119. Verse 83 says: “Though I have become like wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget Your statues.” Now I’m sure there are better ways to describe and explain this phrase. The imagery of this phrase is powerful. Smoke and heat dries porous objects and blackens their surfaces. Now wineskin isn’t too incredibly porous, but it is some sort of skin that over time will begin to dry up and crack. So, you can imagine what being in a dry and smoky environment can do to such an object. Being surrounded by chaos can sometimes confuse and suck the life from us. Can you imagine the state this man is in? I just keep thinking about how the psalmist keeps coming back to the strength he finds in the midst of his enemies persecution. Yet, hope is not lost. The precepts of God are held fast and not forgotten. Seeking after the Father and meditating on his truths is the foundation for which he lives and the root that can hold firm through our storms. Through the storms His statues remain true.
I was driving today on the way to the grocery store and the hymn “Living for Jesus” popped into my head. It was such an odd moment of recalling hymnal singing next to my older sister. We always had a tendency to find ourselves laughing while sharing the hymn book. I could not recall the lyrics, but man could I recall the tune. The verses in upbeat tempo and steadfast conviction and then breaking into the chorus of tranquility would be difficult to forget. It was so fun to sing as a kid. So I went to look up the lyrics and here is what I found:
Living for Jesus, a life that is true, Striving to please Him in all that I do; Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free, This is the pathway of blessing for me. Living for Jesus Who died in my place, Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace; Such love constrains me to answer His call, Follow His leading and give Him my all. REFRAIN O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee, For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me. I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne. My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone. Living for Jesus, wherever I am, Doing each duty in His holy Name; Willing to suffer affliction and loss, Deeming each trial a part of my cross. Living for Jesus through earth’s little while, My dearest treasure, the light of His smile; Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem, Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
As I recall this hymn and the goofiness of singing it with my sister as a child. I recognize its impact on my life and view of God. Its simple confession and pronouncement of trust in Jesus is quite beautiful when read apart from the tune. (Which in my opinion can distract from its proclamation of faith.) One of the sweetest parts is in the third verse: Willing to suffer affliction and loss, Deeming each trial a part of my cross. You said what? Wow! How I missed that phrase so many times and sang it just for the sake of the tune and not from deep affections for Jesus.
As much as the pomp and circumstance of this hymn bothers me. This simple hymn, when proclaimed from the deep conviction of ones heart, can be a powerful testimony of treasuring Jesus through life’s greatest joys and challenges. This isn’t a “pull yourself up by your boot straps” type of theology here, but a deep affection for Jesus through the transforming work He brings within a believers heart. Follow His leading and give Him my all… it is His greatness that compels us all… it is his greatness that captures our affections and sets worship as the rhythm of our lives.
