Let us hold fast the confession of hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
Interesting. A “confession of hope”…in earthly terms? Not really worth much.
I hope it’s sunny today.
I hope my kids are safe.
I hope I have the winning ticket.
A confession of hope that is grounded in emotion – even really good emotion – is like Elton’s candle in the wind. A confession of hope that is grounded in a human’s ability to perform it is a quick (or slow…slow is the worst!) trip to disappointment. But a confession of hope that is rooted and established in the eternal is backed by all the force of heaven and is steady, sturdy, and strong enough to hold onto.
The promises I believe in are real and accessible because they’re not made from MY words – they’re made from His. And when His words are mixed with my faith, a statement that would otherwise be a wispy, nebulous dream, becomes a miracle marker in my life. It’s the place I drive the stake that shows where the seed has gone underground. I know that tomatoes will grow because I saw the seed – and though it’s now buried further down than my vision can go – I have the stake with the little seed packet taped to it, flapping in the wind and reminding me that tomatoes were promised, tomatoes were planted, and so tomatoes will grow. Tomatoes must grow. If anything else came up out of the ground, God would be a bumbling gardener. If nothing came up out of the ground, God would be a liar. But He is neither…He is faithful. He who promised IS faithful.
Here’s what I hold onto: the things that have been planted and staked out in my life – whether I feel it or not – are being cultivated and tended in places and ways I cannot see. His hand is working to prepare and perfect a harvest. And at the harvest? Joy. And tomato sandwiches!
That’s my confession. That’s my hope.
He is faithful,
Bo
Wow…Amen and Amen! I sure needed that reminder today. Thanks 🙂
It’s after much chocolate (for courage), I confess the following and yet another reason to keep my journal pages to myself… plagiarism:/ Yep, It was in complete innocence that I read your blog this AM and was so inspired that I soon had words ricocheting between my ears. I had to write! and YOUR WORDS just seemed to settle into the mix quite contently. So… in the form of a full confession I share the following…
Seeds of hope planted deep in the soul,
weaving tight an unwavering hold.
Though the earth around you
crumbles and shakes
Though your soul is bruised
by lifes heartaches
Hold fast to these pillars
of verse driven deep,
God’s territory in you,
established as His to keep.
Stakes of hope, truth, knowledge & love
A prospector’s treasure viewed from above.
Claim title secure
in the palm of God’s hand.
Forever covered
by the blood of the Lamb.
Backed by the forces of Heaven
steady, sturdy, and strong
The miracle markers of faith cry
“Glory Hallelujah!”
in never ending song.
Okay, I can sleep now:)
Holly – so beautiful! I wish my words would sound like that in MY head! Thanks so much for sharing your gifts with the rest of us.
I know you’ll laugh, but truly every time I read “hold fast to these pillars of verse driven deep” I get goosebumps. Every time. 🙂
-Bo
Wow Wow Wow.
Holly, beautiful words and exactly what I needed to hear. Not that Bo’s words weren’t great, but yours spoke to the place deep inside me that was locking away promises God made to me. Due to other people’s choices, there is no possible way for part of what God has spoken to me to come true. I have struggled with this and ended up pushing the other promises down so that I wouldn’t be disappointed when they didn’t happen.
Holly, your words were so completely true for me. Verses prophesied over me that I didn’t think I could believe anymore and hope that I thought lost. Thanks for sharing what are truly Spirit inspired words.
Angie- Wow. Um…
God’s doing a new thing, it seems… in you and me both!
Thanks for sharing:) Holly
Bo-you are an inspiration and apparently I like reading your blog better than writing on my own. I think I feel like since you have it covered I’m ok to go a week:)
I’m actually commenting here in great joy with my friend HOLLY! Nice work Holly, I’m proud of you! You are amazing and I know your are amazed that we would think such things but God made you that way, don’t be surprised at hearing WOW more often! You are WOW!