Nougat 19

Back in the 80s when I was growing up, there was a song that was close to becoming an anthem for me. I don’t remember all the words now but there’s a part that says,

‘Joy is knowing Jesus loves you; Happiness knows He is mine;

Hope is knowing where you’re going when you die –

living with Jesus on the other side!

Living with Jesus on the other side’

It somehow reminds me of today’s Holy Nougat

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Isn’t that awesome?! That anyone would take the time to pray us into Joy and Peace and unrestrained Hope. And to receive that now … well that’s brawta. For, even if we’re not feeling Hopeless; we can still hold on to this for when we do.

So our first consideration is the nature of God. We are familiar with God in various iterations and characteristics. Creator, I AM, Present Help, Light, Guide, Pillar of Clou, Fire and Smoke, etc. And in Psalm 46; God is our Refuge; our Place of Safety. But how often do we see God as the One Who gives us Hope? ie The One Who gives us the strength and drive to carry on.

This was perhaps Moses’s greatest experience of God while he led the Children of Israel. Because they were not always confident in him, or in God for that matter. These were folks who publicly said that they desired to return to bondage in Egypt, who had no qualms contesting Moses’s leadership or God’s authority! (It seems strange to us perhaps. But please understand; for 400+ years they lived in bondage. It might have been hard for them to remain trusting in each successive generation. Even Moses had his moment.)

I believe that Moses knew deep down the Hope – the sense of expectation for that which is to come but not yet; sometimes for the impossible – that kept him going despite the opposition he often faced. That’s what must have propelled him to keep seeking God’s face (and grace) continuously.

And his hope was rewarded; even vindicated. For although he was denied entry INTO the Promised Land; he saw the through and had a trusty second in command take over. It must have been a source of bittersweet joy to realize that his protégé was taking over. Moreover, in spite of the disappointment of not entering the place he was leading them; I believe that those moments of intimacy on the mountaintop with God must have given him immense joy. In fact, his face glowed (see Exodus 34:29-35).

Our experiences with God might not rival that of Moses, but we can also experience the Hope that only God can give. I know that we have each had moments when Hope was all we had; and for some – it didn’t work out the way we anticipated; for others, we’ve basked in the bounty of our ‘come through’, on-time God. Yes the sting of disappointment may challenge our Joy and threaten our Peace. Nevertheless, we know that God IS Faithful and God’s mercies are never-ending.

So My prayer for each of us is that Our God of Hope, fills us with bountiful Peace and Joy; so much so that we infect others and they can abound with overflowing Hope in these times and always.

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May all we seek be found in Christ