In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:11-12 (ESV)
Lord Jesus, the song lyrics ring in my soul this morning, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus Name. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” This hope resonates within my soul, that glorious desire and expectation, waiting and anticipating what You have promised to do in my life. (1 Peter 1:13) I, like all of creation, wait on You with eager longing, in holy anticipation, of how You will manifest Your great work within me and all who call upon Your Name. (Romans 8:19-21) Indeed, what I will be has not yet appeared, but I know that I will be like You! (1 John 3:2)
So, today I pause to put in the garbage all of the doubt, despair and depression that quickly comes to my mind when I am navigating through the tough stuff of life and feeling sorry for myself. The hopeless gloom that rolls in like a storm is but a short season. I look earnestly to those glimmers of sunshine that You send when Your give me a break in the clouds. Open my eyes to see those whom You have raised up around me to encourage me in my faith walk, using them to fuel the hope that I hold fast to. As I pour Your Word into every pore of my being, saturate my spirit with Your precious promises. Activate my righteous imagination so that I can dream dreams of what it will be like to be in Your presence. Continue to build this longing within me to be absent from the body and be present with You. And as I feed this hunger and thirst for Your righteousness, satisfy it through the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. For Jesus, oh I want to see You, look upon Your face! Amen.