Glory Seed Devotionals, 2016: Year of the Blessing…
Hope and the light at the end of the tunnel…
Shalom!
One faithful Sunday the Pastor of a small rural church that had fallen on hard times stood in the pulpit and with a grim look on his face told his congregation, “Due to the financial crunch the light at the end of the tunnel will be turned off unless we dig in our pockets and help out.” Then from somewhere in the back someone called out, “Let’s with our remaining funds get a wind generator and let the Holy Spirit generate whatever power we need.”
The light at the end of the tunnel has multiple meanings, for some the tunnel is the transition from death to life with the light representing Jesus awaiting them. For me the tunnel is the same as David’s “valley of the shadow of death” and the light is the light of hope as ignited and sustained by the Holy Spirit. I heard the first part of the above humorous story recently at a church conference, while I added the last part about the wind generator and the Holy Spirit but I can’t take credit for writing it God referring to divine hope beat me to it. "But, for my followers, goodness will shine on you like the rising sun. And it will bring healing power like the sun's rays. You will be free and happy, like calves freed from their stalls.” (Malachi 4:2 ERV)
Of all the divine blessings I’ve wrote about recently perhaps hope is, at this point in our history needed the most. When I stop to think about hope relates to other divine blessings I understand and experience it as the root system anchoring the remainder of the “above the surface” divine blessings and at the same time providing each of them with the necessary spiritual nourishment they need to make a difference in our lives.
Paul in his letter to Timothy writes about the source of the light at the end of the tunnel, “Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: We hope in the living God, the Savior of all people. In particular, he is the Savior of all those who believe in him. This is why we work and struggle.” (1 Timothy 4:9-10 ERV)
“God, show mercy to us and bless us. Please accept us! Selah “
GRACE and PEACE,
Gary
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Note: Should you want to go back and review this Glory Seed or if you would like to subscribe so you can receive them in your email you can do so by clicking on this link: www.gloryseeddevotionals.org/.
If you would like inspirational music playing as you read this Glory Seed may I suggest clicking on this link: http://www.abidingradio.org/listen/
Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION (c) 2008 by World Bible Translation Center, Inc. and used by permission. (Download your own free copy at www.wbtc.org.)
**Psalm 67:1, ERV