We have just read about our incredible future promised by God. Surely, this should cause us great joy, thankfulness, and hope!

But if I'm honest, I don't think I fully grasp the significance of this passage. My mind understands that these are amazing promises from God… yet at the same time, my heart feels a bit dull. The passage seem to stay in the realm of ideas and things are not quite landing in the depths of my heart.

How about you? As you read today's passage, were you filled with a great sense of joy and hope? Or did you, like me, struggle to comprehend the weight of these words?

A pastor once said something that has stuck with me over the years. He said that the church is filled with unbelievers; all of us struggle at times to believe in God's word and promises.

I think this is true for many of us. We believe... but we struggle with unbelief. We have faith... but its a faith that sometimes struggles to understand or fully trust in God.

So what do we do about this? How can we believe more fully in God's word and promises?

In 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, the apostle Paul writes: “He [God] anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

Did you catch that?

Apparently God has given us a “deposit” - a guarantee of what is to come. What is this deposit? What is this guarantee? According to Paul, it's the Holy Spirit!

The Holy Spirit is God’s down payment - proof that He can deliver on His word. Our present experience of the Spirit is the guarantee for all of God's promises for the future.

For the last few years, I have been on a journey of seeking more of the Holy Spirit. Although I am not quite where I want to be, I can definitely say that God has made me more aware of the Spirit’s work in my life AND in the lives of others. This has helped me tremendously to grow in faith and trust in God.

If you read today's passage with much joy and thankfulness, spend some time giving thanks to God for this wonderful promised future.

For those of us who struggled to fully believe, let us seek for more of the Holy Spirit, for He is God's deposit, guaranteeing our glorious future to come!