Reluctant Retiree

We think of hope as something less than a wish or desire. But when the Bible speaks of hope it refers to an assurance of future events, the confident expectation that something will occur based upon the promises of God.

Job 4:6 says, “Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?” Our hope remains strong within us when we are faithful to glorify God and live in a godly manner. We can expect God to fulfill His promises because He cannot speak falsely, He is always faithful, He is always good, and He has all power.

I have lived in many different places in my life. We lived in Tempe, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada at various times. Both of these cities are in desert lands, where water is scarce and the land is parched. Both cities have needed to find water sources in order to sustain human and plant life.

In some ways we are like these dry lands. Our souls need nourishment to survive and thrive. God has promised to give us living water for our souls, in the form of His Holy Spirit. The Spirit renews us, guides us, teaches us, and reveals God to us. The Holy Spirit is given to those who trust in Jesus Christ for salvation and redemption. Without the Holy Spirit, we are left in the wilderness of life to struggle aimlessly to survive.

Isaiah 44:3 says, “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendents.” God gives us His Holy Spirit as living water for our souls. We must keep the faucet of this living water turned on by constantly seeking His wisdom and guidance, and by trusting Him to lead us in the ways that we should go.

The world can be a mess sometimes. There are wars, pandemics, and natural disasters. We have people using violence to get what they want. Others are simply taking what is not theirs. How can we explain such a mess?

Isaiah 30:18 says, “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” When we mess up, God withholds His justice and, instead, waits for us to turn to Him. Then He will reveal His mercy on us and be gracious with us, exalting His name. He wants everyone to come to Him, so He waits. Then He lavishes grace and mercy upon us. However, His patience does not last forever. If we don’t come to Him we will experience His justice against evil. Don’t wait any longer to repent and trust God.

When we learn something new, we say that we have been enlightened. Those lights can come from books, teachers, friends, experiences, and many other sources. But the quality of the enlightenment is dependent upon the wisdom of the source. Are we truly enlightened when we learn gossip, rumors, or false teaching or lies?

John 1:9-12 says, “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” The true light, who enlightens everyone to the truth, is Jesus. He reveals the wisdom and knowledge of God. He is Truth and His light gives us life. Thus enlightened and therefore believing we actually become children of God.

If you knew that this is the last week you would live, what question would you want to have answered? What question would you want your loved ones to answer before you left?

Jesus knew that His life on earth was coming to an end? He had spent three years building up His disciples, pouring His life into them. He had this question for them before His crucifixion; “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) Their futures and eternity weighed in the balance, depending on their answer.

The direction of our lives and how we will spend eternity depends upon our answer to this question. How we answer this question each moment reveals our level of trust in God and how we will respond to Him in the moment. How we respond to this question determines whether we will spend eternity with God or separated from Him. “Who do you say that Jesus is?” is the most important question you will ever answer. I would like to hear your answer, so please respond to this post with your answer.