21 Days of Hope

If there's one phrase we should stop saying it's, "Don't get your hopes up." If there's one thought we should totally shut down it's, "Don't get your hopes up." What kind of instruction is that? Reverberating as if everything is set in stone and nothing can be changed. The very phrase is based in cynicism and past experiences of disappointment. It hangs in the air and preys upon those who need to hope the most.

So wait just one second! We, who claim to be children of God, have access to someone who stands before God on our behalf. That person is Jesus! He intercedes for us because he knows what it's like here on earth. He knows the struggles and needs and obstacles. 

          Jesus said, "You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." (See Luke 11:11-13)

          There's something else on my heart. "The power of the appeal." It may be a diagnosis, a verdict, a situation that has come to a standstill or your own heart won't budge. You have kept your hopes up and have tried to get what you desire to no avail. That's when it's time to make an appeal to the greatest authority there is and get your hopes up! 

I’m here to tell you - You’ve got to get your hopes up! You just have to! In Luke 11:5-8 Jesus teaches further on prayer - “Suppose you went to a friend's house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can't help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence."

          A better translation here is “in order to avoid shame” or “so his reputation won’t be damaged he will get up and give you whatever you need.” There is a place in prayer where we appeal to God’s reputation. There are times when we see no movement and just as Moses reminded God that his reputation was on the line, if he wiped out all the Israelites in the wilderness, we can appeal to him in this way. We aren’t demanding our way or beating on the door of heaven begging, we are simply appealing to his reputation as a provider and we are the ones lacking -provision, blessing, abundance, or resources of some kind. Who is he known as? Jehovah Jireh - Provider! That’s just one example. We could easily deep dive into all of his attributes and appeal to his reputation as that! We aren’t twisting the arm of God here either when we boldly approach the throne. He absolutely loves our bold approach to run to him knowing he has what we need! Today, I want you to ask God to provide the thing that you are lacking and get your hopes up!