So now wrap your heart tightly around the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps His promises. Hebrews 10:23
I remember a time when wrapping things carried a greater purpose than it does these days.
Bagged lunches that contained my wrapped PBJ (peanut butter & jelly for those not accustom to such elegant dining) was essential. Now how many of you like eating any sandwich that has not maintained it’s freshness? Keeping it fresh is still essential today, but we’ve got the sealed plastic ware that does the trick and used more often.
I remember gift wrapping used to be so much more important as well. I used to spend hours as a kid wrapping my grandparents Christmas gifts (except mine of course). Stores that would specialize in preparing the perfect wrapped gift for you was very common. It truly was a form of art. Gift bags have made the process much less time consuming and easier.
Making time to prepare that sandwich and gift for greatness back then probably wasn’t thought of much but that was the intent. Preparation is a key in receiving what is desired.
I think back to those times when I now read how we should wrap our hearts around the hope for something special.
You know sometimes we can wrap something so tight that it doesn’t work or it becomes damaged. That’s not the case when it comes to God’s direction regarding His hope. He tells us to wrap our hearts tightly around it.
Our hearts can break and often do regarding circumstances. Who has not had their heart broken before, please raise your hand and comment me. God understands all of that and no matter what our heart condition is….unhealthy…weak…broken…unstable, He has a greater purpose for it that can change our lives.
”Wrap your heart tightly around the hope that lives within us”. What is the hope that lives within you and me? What are we hoping in that gets a huge hug from our hearts?
Knowing we have assurance, safety, peace, confidence, and trust that God keeps His promises is the answer. He follows through. He is faithful.
So I have a question for you.…what has God promised you that you are willing to wrap your heart tightly around in the hope of seeing it and living it through?
His Word is full of promises that are spoken for all who believe. Many of those promises are carried out everyday. He also speaks to each of us individually and He has special promises that have been designed just for you.
He makes these individual special promises for those who know Him. For those who call Him Lord and Savior.
You might be saying….how can I find out what mine are and where do I begin the search?
Preparation is a key in receiving what is desired.
Begin with the promises He has made to all who believe. Just like preparing my PBJ for freshness, we must prepare ourselves in order to hear Him clearly.
Let His Word penetrate your heart. Allow your heart to overflow with His assurances. By reading the many promises found in His Word, it will create momentum in building your hope to receive your individual promises from Him.
He has a heart full of promises just for you.
Lingering Thoughts:
Maybe you feel like God has promised you something, but you have yet to see it materialize. Know that His timing is perfect. While you are waiting, He is working on you in other areas that you might not realize. He has a purpose for why He does what He does. His best interest in you is His goal. That’s why our hearts need to tightly hold on to the hope He places within us.
Be encouraged that His on-going promises in His Word are meant to guide and inspire you to build your communication with Him to greater levels. This will better equip you to understand His timing and to receive what He has especially for you.
With over 8000 promises from God throughout scripture, there’s plenty to gather from to place in your heart. Here’s just a few to help get you started.
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
Photos by Melody & Kyle