These Same Skies: 5-Day Devotional With Hillsong WorshipSample

HOPE OF THE AGES

These Same Skies Devotional 

Ben Fielding | Day 3

Worship is sung and written in the same language as true hope. Hope keeps us looking forward, it reminds us that we were created for something, or moreover someone, who transcends time and all the very real struggles of life. We worship and have hope, not because of our circumstances, but because God is worthy no matter what. Our hope is anchored to Christ! I’m reminded of Romans 8:24, that says “Hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see?” Sometimes what we can already see is so disappointing and so clouded that we can barely see hope on the horizon. We all know that life can fall short of all that God intended for us; we experience the pain of broken relationships; of sickness; of the ugliest expressions of fallen humanity. 

Romans 8 has always helped reassure me that when life is at its darkest, hope is an ever more glaring light. There is so much of the goodness, the faithfulness, and the character of God that we are yet to see. In this life, we worship only in part. And yet faith affords us a deep, soulful sense of knowing that the same hope that lifted the eyes of Abraham (Romans 4:18), is the hope of the ages, only truly found in the Lord. Just like Abraham looked forward to Jesus, the Messiah, so we, with eternity echoing in our hearts, look forward in the hope of His return. 

“Jesus holds our future,” and it is a future that is written by the Author of Salvation. In this song, we declare with reassurance, “This is our confession, this is our conviction, we believe what is written, we believe what You’ve spoken.” The story of the gospel, the good news, is that what Jesus began through His life, death and resurrection will be completed. We are a part of this rescue story, and because of Jesus, we can have peace for today and a hope for the future. The prophet Jeremiah wrote about God having plans “to give you a future and a hope” many, many years ago, and you, my friend, can hold onto these words today, knowing that God has never changed and keeps His promises.

Reflection & Application:

Take a moment to be still and reflect. Jesus Christ is our Saviour, Redeemer, Messiah, the Light of the world, our Rock, our Fortress and our King. In our world, many things are changing, or in fact decaying—the process of atrophy is at work. However, there is great hope for us in the knowledge that Jesus is not bound by this regression. He reigns forever and holds our future in His loving, caring hands. Today, I encourage you to consciously commit your life and your future to God, the hope of the ages. 

Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, I choose right now to submit my will to Yours. I am convinced that what You’ve spoken is true and I have a conviction that You hold my future with care. Please fill me with courage and peace for this day. May I be a light to the world around me, declaring the gospel of the good news of Jesus. Hallelujah! Amen!