Monday, July 2, 2012

A FORTNIGHT OF PRAYER

DAY 12 
OUR HOPE


Everywhere we turn, we see despair and pain, for more than a few families. Economically, it is hopeless in some regions of the country as college graduates come out of school with worthless degrees and $100,000 debts put upon them by a liberal college system. The parasitic education class sips their chablis and eat cheese, while their graduate interns do all the work, and blame capitalism/free enterprise for everything. I hope someday soon, that a reputable investigation is done into why not just the average US college education costs so much, but what is the cost/benefit analysis of this outrage.


The biggest further outrage to this is the general feeling of hopelessness among the populace as we look out over the landscape, into the future. Not only do we not see a way for our children to succeed and find their niche in life, but we see the crooked politicians, academic and media types usurping parental and religious rights to empower themselves. We then see them on a vile and profane campaign to redefine the world, which God gave us, albeit temporarily, to be stewards. We have gone through days of prayer now, on how we pray for those people...and why. 


Therefore, what we will be doing here for the final three days of the Fortnight of Freedom, through Prayer and Intercession, is concentrating on showing the TRUE hope that is out there for our people. The amazing thing about this Hope is that it is for ALL people, including those who serve themselves and not God....but there is a catch - they must surrender their lives to Christ, and it must be known. 
This Hope cannot be found in the political and judicial class, who are part of the end times strategy of the serpent of old. 
This Hope is ONLY found in God, from Whom ONLY, we derive our personal freedom and liberty - which NO government can take. 
Our Hope in the Cross is foolishness to those who will not stand a chance before Holy God on Judgment Day, because our Hope in the Cross is the Power for Eternal Life for all who have repented and put their trust in the Savior. 
Our Hope is not to those who find a liberal "church" at election time to spew socialism and personal animus at their political opponents, but our Hope is found in the One Whose feet will land on Mt. Zion in days to come and Who will finally make things as they are supposed to be.
Our Hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' Blood and Righteousness.


So here is what God says about your hope and my hope:
Psalm 30 (ESV)


PRAISE HIM FIRST:
I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
GOD'S ATTRIBUTES:
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity,
“I shall never be moved.”
By your favor, O LORD,
you made my mountain stand strong;
CRY OUT TO HIM IN PETITION:
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.
To you, O LORD, I cry,
and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
“What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me!
O LORD, be my helper!”
PRAISE HIM AGAIN FOR HIS MERCY TOWARDS US:
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!


Please focus your mind on the Words of God here, through His servant King David (the human author of this psalm). Notice how David begins by praising and "extolling" God. We know David wrote under the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit because he said so, several times. For you and I, as far as the Bible is concerned, if God said it, I believe it.

So King David praises the Heavenly Father - Abba, Daddy - for the first quarter of the psalm. Then he explains how God thinks and His merciful attributes..re: "His anger is but for a moment..." Then David shows us God's promise and His favor....the promise is "weeping and hopelessness and despair is but for a short time"....but let not your hearts be troubled, my friends "JOY COMES IN THE MORNING"..... And a Joy is coming on resurrection morning, when we see Jesus Face to face!! 



In the third quarter of the psalm above, David cries out his petition and this is how you and I should be as we place our prayer requests, no matter what they are (God can sort out the ones He doesn't think apply to us). So use the words of this portion and press into the Throne of Grace with petitions and a heart broken for His Healing.

Finally, please note that God answered David's prayer here....and He will do so for you too!! He may not give us the material things we want, but we will have what we need. Do NOT believe the lies of certain people preaching in your town or on TV who sell a "name it and claim it" false gospel because this will increase your hopelessness when the thing you "claim" does not materialize! But claim the Word and promises of God and the PRAISES of God in your heart...store it and hide it there....and the peace that passes ALL understanding will be yours - even as we see the world fall apart ALL around us! We will not be shaken!

Amen
(image by google)

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