Gospel-Hope

Scotty Smith:  A Prayer of Hope When Hoping Isn’t Easy

     Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:16-18

     Heavenly Father, the gospel makes all the difference in the world, period. What but the gospel of your grace could possibly explain Paul’s attitude of faith and hope reflected in these few verses? He experienced crazy-making, danger and betrayals, from both outside and inside the Body of Christ. He was flogged five times by the Jews, beaten with rods, stoned, thrice shipwrecked, floated boat-less in the ocean 36 hours; he went sleepless and foodless, was cold and naked… among other loses and crosses. (2 Cor. 11:23-33). And yet—and supernaturally yet, he didn’t lose heart and he didn’t kill hope. Nothing but the truth and power of the gospel can explain this.
     No pity-parties or numbing binges; no throwing in the towel or throwing of temper tantrums; no excuse making or excusing himself from life; no angry blaming or cynical shaming. Rather, Paul modeled for us the way of the cross, the way of the gospel, the ways of your heart. Please cultivate the same attitude of hope in our lives, Father. Though most of us will only experience a small percentage of the disappointments and suffering Paul experienced, nonetheless, we need the transforming power of gospel-hope in our lives.
     When we are tempted to lose heart, harden our hearts, numb our hearts or indulge our hearts, help us to see Jesus clearly—the author and perfecter of our faith. Help us to see the glories of the new heaven and the new earth, and not just the brokenness of the first heaven and earth. May a vision of unseen eternal realities transcend and transform our vision of temporal heart-wreckers and heart-breakers. May the endless triumph of heaven be more real to us than the momentary troubles of today.
     Help us, like Paul, to be honest about the ways we are outwardly “wasting away,” for you’re not asking us to pretend or deny the reality of our weakness. But also, help us to be convinced about the inward renewal that you effecting in our lives, day by day. You will bring to completion the good work you have begun in us and all around us. How we praise you for this great assurance.
     Gracious Father, as you renew and deepen our hope, help us to live as conduits of hope. Every gift and grace you give us is meant to be shared with others, every one of them. So very Amen we pray in Jesus’ name, with fresh humility and eternal gratitude.