More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Hope will only grow in the ground of humility.
“Hope finds in Christ not only a consolation in suffering, but also the protest of the divine promise against suffering.”5 Hope says that things are not now the way they are supposed to be, and it actively partners with God to bring in the consummation of his kingdom. It is an act of rebellion against the status quo.
if hope is nothing more than believing the promises of God, the lack of hope is unbelief. Lack of hope reveals that we really don’t believe what God has said. Therefore, it is sin.
Learn to say “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20). This reminds you that your hope is in a person, and such a hope is certain. His response is, “Yes, I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:20).
Joy takes our attention off ourselves and places it on God and all the things that have God as their source—things that are true, noble, right, pure, and lovely (Phil. 4:8).
When we come before God, thankfulness begins by knowing that we are spiritually destitute. We are sinners who can’t help but sin, and we deserve God’s eternal rejection.
God then pursues us, opens our eyes to his grace and mercy, and satisfies our deepest needs and spiritual thirsts. Our lot improves immensely. We in turn are forever thankful.
When you feel lost or confused, get to these final words. The fact that Jesus Christ came to earth to die in our place is his resounding “I love you.” Since his love is
dependent on himself rather than on you, you are not in danger of being unloved on those days when you feel utterly faithless. In fact, at those times his love will be even more surprising and precious because you will remember that this extravagant love is undeserved and unearned.
