Hear. See. Care.

Meditation Thought: “ Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)

Hope is the motivator of patience.
Prayer is the motivator of hope.
Wisdom is the motivator of prayer.
Tribulation is the motivator of wisdom.

As logical, as brilliant as we may be intellectually, we allow circumstances to affect us emotionally in ways that make logic and intellect insufficient to cope with life adequately.

It is in times of tribulation when we most clearly recognize the limitations of our human endeavors. It is in this weakness that we gain strength – for the weakness gives birth to willingness to wait, listen, look for God.

“Our hope does not disappoint us.” Our God is not a promise-breaker, nor a tyrant, nor cruel, nor inconsistent. If we perceive Him as such, then it is our own misconception which robs us of all of the glories which He desires to reveal to us, of all of the love which He desires to bestow upon us, of all of the wisdom with which He would endow us.

If we “read the signs of the times”, we read God’s message to us: Both His ‘general instructions’ in the Word, and His specific instructions in the indwelling Holy Spirit’s revelation to us, whether that be through knowledge of our heart or circumstances.

Armed with His general and specific instructions, we are impervious to despair, we are infinitely patient, we are strategically wise; all of this starts with prayer, which is our acknowledgment of both our relationship to God, and the meaning, the significance of that relationship to us, and to all of creation.

Simple as it may be to state, the complexity of the universe is encompassed in the thought. The key to life itself is revealed as we seek to find it it prayer.

I once was blind, and now I see.
Thank you, Man of Galilee!
I sought not the place,
Knew not the time,
Nor who would heal.
But hope was born,
and when You came,
Truth charged the very air.
Something within cried out –
You heard. You saw. You cared.

Thank you – Thank You!
Now use me, Lord,
That my opened eyes may see.
See truth. See love. See every key to every door in the kingdom.

I walked by those doors,
Never knowing they were there.
But now – NOW – I see!
And enter in I will.
Each one, I view as near I come,
Anticipating what shall be.
Knowing all will please,
For beyond each door
Lies a better view of Thee!