Where my Hope Comes From

Sometimes it’s good to get back to the basics of what I believe and remind myself of who and whose I am.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

There is a song that we used to sing at a church I went to when I lived in Tallahassee, FL.  The lyrics were based on Isaiah 43 – ‘Yahweh You have created me, You have called me by name and I am yours.’  What an amazing comfort it is to know and believe that God has called me by name and I am His.  Another line says something like ‘though I walk through the fire I will not be scorched or burned for God is with me…’

During my time in Tallahassee, I went through some dark days, my world seemed to be crashing around me.  During that time, I had a dream and in the dream I was seeking help, turning to different people, friends, counselors, pastors for help but everyone was too busy – and then a voice in my dream said to me, “Tami, even if you lose everything and everyone, I will never ever leave you.”

Where does my hope come from?  From God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. ~ Psalm 121 ESV

He knows me, all my faults and weaknesses, but He has called me by name. He has called me His child, and He has promised to never abandon or forsake me.  One day I will sit on His lap and He will wipe away every tear and there will be no more pain, no more sorrow, no more mourning.  In my heart of hearts, I can cry Abba Father and know I am loved.

Sometimes… a lot of times… I forget this.  I get caught up in the trials of day to day living, I get caught up in my fears, I get caught up in my failures, but when I remember, when I remind myself, that my Father, God Almighty, the Creator of Heave and Earth, has called me by name and I am His, I know peace, deep, deep peace.

When I remind myself what I believe…

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” ~ John 10:28-30 ESV

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. ~ Galatians 4:4-7 ESV

“Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think you’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
You tell me that you’re pleased and that I’m never alone
You’re a Good, Good Father It’s who you are, It’s who you are, It’s who you are
and I’m loved by you It’s who I am, It’s who I am, It’s who I am
I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching for answers only you provide
Because you know just what we need before we say a word
You’re a Good, Good Father It’s who you are, It’s who you are, It’s who you are
and I’m loved by you It’s who I am, It’s who I am, It’s who I am”
Good Good Father by Housefires