
Read this scripture, carefully:
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Hope in God must be expressed in love for Him. Operating solely in the principles of the Kingdom without a loving relationship with God the Father, will result in frustration. There was a woman in Luke chapter 7; the Bible says she was a sinner, but she had great hope that Jesus could save her. She came expressing her deep love in her hope for salvation.
“And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment…
..And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” Luke 7:37-47
Indeed, love covers a multitude of sins (Proverbs 10:12; 1 Peter 4:8); that is why it makes hope flourish. It beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).
Just as you cannot put your hope in a person you don’t love and trust, you cannot put your hope in God if you don’t love and trust Him.
Zacchaeus’ hope was expressed in his love for Jesus, which drove him to climb a tree just to catch a glimpse of Him, as He was passing by (Luke 19:1-9). Only love could send a man of wealth and influence up a tree, just to catch a glimpse of someone. People go to any length, even at the risk of their own safety, in the hope of seeing or touching a public figure they love.
Also, because love does endure, hoping in love also endures. Love helps you to hopefully keep holding on. For example, it is difficult for a loving mother to give up hope on her rebellious child. She will always keep hoping that her child will change one day, even when every other person has given up!
Love for God keeps you hopeful, no matter the situation and no matter how long you have to wait. Your love for God consumes you, such that it makes waiting for a thing a hopeful delight!
This testimony shows, in practical terms, how delightful hope can be, when you are consumed with the love of God: I read Pastor Faith Oyedepo’s articles on Making Your Marriage Work and I learnt that I have no option in my marriage than to ensure it works.
Today, I thank God that I never gave up but hoped in God, because ever since I started attending the Living Faith Church, rededicated my life to Christ and have been seriously committed to God in my service unit, I have since seen a loving, caring and understanding husband.
Thank you mummy and I pray that God will continue to empower your ministry, for using you and the Bishop to bless my life and marriage!..
This text is an extract from the book “THE FORCE OF HOPE” written by Faith A. Oyedepo.
We invite you to read the following article “HOPE AND PATIENCE “.
HOPE WORKS WITH LOVE. HOPE WORKS WITH LOVE.
Comments (0)