The Gap

"I pray that God, the source of Hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident Hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

- St. Paul, Romans 15:13

"Hope is patience… with the lamp lit."

- Tertullian

What do you do when what God says about you in the Bible does not line up with what you're going through in your life today? I mean… when there's a gap between what God has promised you in His Word and what you're experiencing in your life right now… what do you do? For instance, the Bible says that Jesus is Risen and has promised you a life that's overflowing with abundance (John 10:10)... a life that's filled with joy (John 15:11)... a life that's characterized not by trouble but by peace (John 14:27)... a life that's built on God's power not my weakness (Acts 1:7). And yet…

...I just lost my job or…

...My son just entered rehab or…

...My daughter's battling serious depression or…

...I can hardly get out of bed in the morning or…

...The doctor just said my cancer's back or…

...The coach just called and said you didn't make the team or…

...My baby's still sick…

Question: Does anybody feel that tension besides me?

And oh, by the way, the one thing I don't need right now is a religious friend coming up to me and offering me a well-meaning piece of spiritual advice like…

..."God has a purpose for everything… just wait, you'll see." or…

..."Maybe there's some sin in your life and God's trying to get your attention." Duh? Of course there's sin in my life or… and I love this one…

..."God won't give you more than you can handle."... Really?! ‘Cause I feel like I'm dying here or… and this is classic…

..."Worry is a sin, so don't worry about it. Pray about it!" But worrying is my spiritual gift, so… take a hike!

I know, not very pastoral. But in the frustration of what I'm going through, that is honestly how I sometimes feel. I tend to be suspicious of people who are just so certain about what God is up to in my life. That's why I love the story about the very religious guy who stood up one night in a Sunday evening prayer service to share a "Word from the Lord." He said,

"Thus saith the Lord, 'As I was with Abraham as he led the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea… so I will be with you.'"

As he sat down, his wife leaned over and whispered something in his ear. Immediately, he stood back up and said, "Thus saith the Lord, 'I was wrong… it was Moses, not Abraham.'" (Smile)

So, when there's a gap between what God has promised you in His Word and what you are going through today… what do you do? Simple: You fill the gap with hope! In Romans 15, the Apostle Paul is writing to some Jesus followers who are wondering the same thing - That is, if Jesus is Lord, then why is there so much unrest in me and so much suffering and dissension and conflict among God's people? In response, the old Apostle says,

I pray that God, the source of Hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident Hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

- Romans 15:13

There's an old saying that goes, "Sometimes God calms the storm, and sometimes He lets the storm rage and God calms His child." That's what Paul is saying as he reminds us…

..."God is the source of all hope!" When you're confused, God isn't! He knows exactly what He's doing! Say that to Him out loud!

..."As you trust Jesus… God's Spirit will fill you with joy and peace." God is in control, even when you're not! He loves you and is working for you. Tell Jesus your life is in His hands!

..."God's desire is not that you have just a little hope… but that you should overflow with hope!" Invite the Holy Spirit to insert God's strength into your weakness…

And hope… real hope… will begin to fill the gap between what God has promised you in His Word and what you're going through in your life today! AMEN

Pastor Harry

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