Hope of Glory

Asher has been practicing for 9 months his choir songs. Today was his big performance. Uriah was so excited to clap for him and say “Go Asher!” Asher was excited all week. The day arrives. I can’t wait to see my little boy up on stage on mother’s day singing about God using his hands and having so much in store for him.

Asher is the farthest thing from shy. But today he was. He wouldn’t stay on the stage without Austin or I with him. He didn’t get to sing. He was sad, we all were. 

This is new territory. The next few hours I spent trying to figure out how to deal with a disappointed little boy who experienced failure in the face of fear. Just like Jesus does with us, I want to help him see the truth, the reality that he messed up, but also the reality that the cross is big enough for even his mistakes.

With my wonderful yet handful boys I am often wondering, “Why my kids?” “Why are my kids the only ones that _____________?”

God brings to mind, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.” Rom. 12:12

Hope of what? That life will get easier? No, because that is not God’s goal for my life. He never promised life being easy. (But He did promise the opposite. “In this world you will have trouble…” Jn 16:33)

“We boast in the hope of the glory of God.” Rom. 5:2  The only place for my hope is that God’s character will be revealed and seen. Marveled at even!

“On the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.” 2 Thes. 1:10 But that means that sometimes His character/heart might not been seen through some circumstances till then… when he comes again.

But when He comes, He will “give relief to you who are troubled… This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” 1:7 

I can hope in the reality that relief is coming and God’s character and purpose will be revealed… marveled in through my circumstances. The hope of glory!

But this hope is not for all. For others God says something else, “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified.” 2 Thes. 1:8-9

Obedience only comes as a result of trust. Who are you trusting to make you right before God? Are you trusting in your own effort to be good enough? Hoping that the good will outweigh the bad?

Or is your hope in the fact that you (just like me) are guilty and nothing can erase that but Jesus lived the perfect life and died to make a way for your guilt to be forgiven. Are you putting your hope in the innocence of Christ on your behalf? If so. You can have hope!

Christ in you, the hope of glory! (Col. 1:27)

I am thankful for…

Hope. The hope that Christ’s purposes and character will be seen through my strong-willed boys. The hope that the frustration, discouragement and exhaustion will prove to be worth it.

God’s Word. His promises that He will never break.

God’s Spirit. Who reminds me what’s true. Who teaches me and instructs me. Who enables me, giving me strength and ability to do what only He is capable of doing.

My strong-willed boys and for God bringing them into my life. They are a joy and being used in the hand of God to develop in me perseverance and character. And giving me a longing for God’s heart to be revealed… hope.

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