Two Unchangeable Things

So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. – (Hebrews 6:18, NLT)

These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when He says something, and He cannot lie when He makes an oath. So these two things are a great help to us who have come to God for safety. They encourage us to hold on to the hope that is ours. – (Hebrews 6:18, ERV)

 

People are fallible. It is human nature to err and let others down. Not one of us is without flaw, nor has kept from disappointing another. Though it is rarely our intent, we fall short. However, God does not. Whatever God says, He does. His word is true and it will not change. In Christ, our hope is secure and our future is certain. No, God does not typically give us a play-by-play plan of what is to come, but He does assure us that He will walk beside us, and never leave us, no matter what comes our way. Ultimately, we know that if our hearts trust in Him, we will spend all of eternity in the security of His presence and the light of His love. The challenge lies in our desire to have tangible comfort and security, when we cannot directly see God. So often, when we seek Him first, He will provide people around us to be His hands, heart, and voice to remind us what is true, and to offer comfort where our souls are unsteady. May we ever trust in God, who is our Refuge and where our hope comes from. Let us hold fast to the hope that is promised and will not change, both now and forevermore.

 

Our God has given,

Both promise and oath;

That He will not change,

Granting our hearts hope.

He is our refuge,

To whom we can run;

The One who is true,

When each day is done.

Let us be assured,

Of the hope we hold;

In God we’re secure,

Forever foretold.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have given us both Your promise and Your oath, and that these two things are unchangeable because You cannot lie. Thank You that we can run to You as our Refuge in confidence, as we have the assurance of the hope that we know is certain of our eternity with You. Forgive us for placing human parameters on You, and teach us to trust You and Your infinite power and wisdom with all that we are. Help us to run to You in all things, with assurance that You will keep Your promise to be our present help. Show us how to love those around us in a way that reflects Your heart best. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we run to You as our refuge, and hold onto the hope that is ours in You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy. – Hebrews 4:16

Be Not Silent

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome had just observed one of the most devastating blows they had ever known. He who had been their hope, was crucified and laid in a tomb. Though they could not do anything to fight on His behalf as second class citizens at the time, they did what they could by remaining present, and then going to prepare spices to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the day that they were permitted to go, the women went to the tomb. Upon their arrival, they found the stone rolled away, and were spoken to by one in a white robe. His message was full of hope, yet was perhaps more than their hearts could handle after all they had witnessed in the days prior. Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. – (Mark 16:8)

 

How often does fear keep us from sharing our story? When Christ comes and rescues us from our sin and shame, we are rescued from the road to ruin, and placed on the path of eternal life. Light enters where darkness once reigned, and peace permeates the places of prior turmoil. Hope is held where hopelessness had held us back…

 

Fortunately, the ladies’ story did not end with their fleeing from the tomb. In fact, they were the first to encounter the risen Lord. When Jesus appeared to them, boldness beheld them, and they went at once to go and tell the disciples what they had seen, just as the angel had directed them to do.

 

Though fear may find us,

do not let it be;

a roadblock to truth,

for truth need be free.

If we are afraid,

may we choose to seek;

Him who grants us strength,

when we’re feeling weak.

For in our weakness,

is where Christ is strong;

if we allow Him,

be our hope and song.

Do not be silent,

the truth need be known;

speak of your story,

let His hope be shown.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your story is the greatest story ever told, as You came to save all who trust in You. Thank You that You loved us so much that You sent Your Only Son, so that we could have life in You. Jesus, thank You for taking all of our sin and shame, and giving us new life in You. Forgive us for our fearfulness and confusion about what we are meant to do. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will have the courage and strength to boldly go forth in whatever capacity You ask. Lead us to love You and love others with a love that speaks truth and perseveres, just as You faithfully and relentlessly love each of us. May many come into a saving relationship with You, Lord. Be glorified Lord God, as we share of all the good things You have done for us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. – Job 8:21

Wait for the Lord

David, the author of the 27th Psalm, encourages us to: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” – (verse 14)  He knew well, what it meant to wait for the Lord.  David had been anointed king as a teen while still tending his father’s flocks, yet did not don royal robes until he was much older.  As he waited, he faced giants, fled from a friend turned foe, overcame countless obstacles,  and all the while, trusted the Lord to be his strength and believed that what God had spoken, would come to pass.

When we hear a promise, it is never easy to wait.  At times, it can even seem as if God isn’t answering our prayers, because nothing seems to be happening toward the fulfillment.  However, we are not privileged to view things through God’s lens, so what He is doing, may easily escape us.  Often the series of seemingly unfortunate or unplanned events that are occurring, are a sort of preparation for our hearts and minds, to teach us to further trust, and strengthen our faith in the Father alone.  God’s promises are always worth the wait.  The time we have between the promise and the fulfillment, can be our time to hold hope, and allow the Lord to refresh us, renew us, and teach us.  Be strong and take heart, for He is always worth the wait.

Wait for the Lord,

be strong in the wait;

in Him, take heart,

do not hesitate.

Wait for the Lord,

He is always good;

trust in the Lord,

our pain’s understood.

Wait for the Lord,

no matter what’s seen;

call on His Name,

in the time between.

Wait for the Lord,

the day soon will come;

the fulfillment,

His promises done.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our strength in the waiting, and that we can always trust in You.  Thank You that You are faithful to fulfill what You say You will do, and that You have purpose when there is a time of waiting.  Forgive us for our impatience, and help us to learn how to be refreshed, renewed, and to grow in our understanding of You, as we wait.  May we grow in mercy and grace, as we have so lavishly been given these gifts by You.  Let us love others, as You love us, and may many come to know You as a result.  Be magnified through all that we say and do.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering

because he is conscious of God.   – 1 Peter 2:19

*(NIV footnotes for Psalm 27:13 utilized as a resource too.)