“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:25

I was talking to one of my girls and we said those words in regards to something good happening. A hope for a dream to come true. I thought how these two tiny words when put together have such power. Not. Yet. Not Yet. There is hope in those words. An expectation for what’s just out of reach. It can go two ways: a Charlie Brown experience where you get ready to kick it out of the park and Snoopy snatches it away last minute and you tumble through the air screaming “AAUUURRRGGGHHHH”. Or we are holding our hands over our eyes, getting antsy as we ask: “Now?” and the response is: “Not Yet!” Either way waiting is hard and at times frustrating.

What “Not Yet” are we waiting for?

“I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.” Ephesians 3:16

With all that has happened in my world, your world, our world…that verse brings me hope. The same power that raised Christ from the dead; that same Spirit that hovered over the earth and breathed life into existence empowers me, you, us. My resolve has failed and will fail again, how gracious that it is not dependent on my strength, but His! It is glorious and unlimited!!!

“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 our Friend, the Holy Spirit again with all His power. Who doesn’t need overflowing confident hope? Or to be completely filled with joy and peace? Not a little confidence and half-filled peace and a dash of joy. But filled to the brim like that glass of iced tea that sloshes out when you pick it up. We need to be filled and overflowing and slosh it out over people who are around us. The world needs us sloshing!

“So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!” Psalm 31:24

“You are my refuge and my shield; Your word is my source of hope.” Psalm 119:114

I can trust God much easier now. It used to be much harder and I fought where He was leading and what I was walking through. Oh, I still may have a freak out moment, or become despondent when I’m feeling overwhelmed and forgotten, BUT GOD! God is always there. I picture Him with a smirk that says, “told you.” I know God, I know.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.” Isaiah 61:1

“What a great and beautiful promise that Jesus came to fulfill. If we are lost, brokenhearted, held captive by life and choices, our hope is in Jesus! When we see ourselves settling back into old struggles, familiar habits and thoughts that we will never change and not be good enough, we can stand and say, “not yet, but God!” because it’s not in our ability but all Him and His power.

“The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you come and go, both now and forever.” Psalm 121:7-8

When we see “LORD” in all caps it is because it is referring to Yahweh, the proper name for God. How God revealed Himself to Moses at Mt. Horeb. He is the Creator; He who brings to pass; the performer of His promises; the One who is; the absolute and unchangeable One. That God, is watching over you. While hope may dip as we wait for our “not yet’s” we can know we are ever before Yahweh. He sees me, you and us. His love is unending and will not falter. He is where we have hope!

I hope you have a great day, trust in our unchangeable God and slosh some hope around!

All My Love ~
Jodi xoxo

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