Hello dears
We continue our reflections of Monday, as promised, with today’s Holy Nougat
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
What does it mean to hold unswervingly to Hope?
Could it be that the church then was undergoing its own wilderness season and some were getting disheartened? Thus, this was a rallying cry? Can it be a reminder to us that we belong to Jesus; and that He ought to be our focus, especially during the rough patches?
Now let’s get one thing clear – it is natural for us humans to get concerned about the storms of life. However, With Christ our Living Hope, we are NOT obliged to become fixated on such.
A friend noted that part of the challenge posed by COVID-19 is that there’s no visible end date. So it’s easy to remain in perpetual anticipatory isolation. And that can mess with our minds and invite us to lose sight of our Hope, for many feel Jesus is missing. For those who’ve been with the nougats for a while, you may recall us exploring the disciples’ anxiety in the storm while Jesus lay sleeping IN the boat – Jesus!, they cried. Do you even care that we’re going to die? We are not the first folk to cry out to Jesus in desperation. Jesus didn’t get a heart attack at the disciples’ panic. He definitely won’t be distraught by our pleas.
Rather, His calm voice responded to those in the boat and to us right now,
Peace! Be still! (or in old time Jamaican parlance, Cease an’ sekkl!)
For even when asleep, Jesus was IN the boat. He is with us in our situation today also. Just a (frantic) prayer away. Maybe it’s time to look to him and not on our impossible situation.
Even before He answers, we give thanks for the God He is and that He’s right on time. Let’s fuel our hope with praise – for
- the joy of the Lord strengthens us
- God inhabits our praises, and
- if we’re inundating the heavenlies with praise there’s less scope for worry
Christ gives us Hope because Christ IS our hope. So we cast our cares on Him, patiently awaiting His peace that assures us it is well.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
