“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13
In 1950 Dr. Curt Richter, a scientist conducted an experiment with rats to see how long the rats could survive being placed in a bucket of water before succumbing to exhaustion. The total time ended up being 15 minutes. He then took them out and let them rest and rehabilitate before he did the experiment a second time. He then had researchers place the rats in the bucket again to see how long they would last and the results were unbelievable. They survived a mind-blowing 60 hours this time! Not 60 minutes but 60 hours! This is the power of hope! These rats had the confident expectation that they would be delivered the second time, thus giving them the incredible feat of persevering for 60 hours.
It took adversity to develop this hope and endurance in the rats. Without it, they would have never been able to last as long. This study demonstrated how hope gives the ability to endure and persevere. Sadly the rats were not rescued after the second time, but we don’t have to worry about God not saving us in our time of need! He is a rock of salvation in every time of trouble and need!
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:1-5
God considers our trials before he allows us to go through them. He knows if we can or cannot endure and he fully equips us mentally physically and emotionally to endure them and if he does allow the trial he himself goes through the fire with us never allowing us to suffer alone. He knows how to help us in our time of need. He is right there with us strengthing us, encouraging us, and reminding us to look and live to redirect our attention from our trials and onto him.
“Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; ” Psalms 33:18
Each and every trial develops more resilience and hope in us to where we become more and more unmoved by our circumstances. This develops a meek and quiet spirit in us to where we’re more and more unmoved by our circumstances giving us internal peace no matter the situation. This is a meek and quiet spirit. Who doesn’t want to be less reactive and troubled by our circumstances to where our hearts are not failing for fear? There’s only one way to get there and it’s through the trials of life and learning to rest in his wisdom and love while in the midst of the fire.
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” Romans 12:12
The English word for hope means more along the lines of wishful thinking but the Hebrew word for hope is confident expectation..you know it’s going to happen! It’s faith that works by love! it’s reminding yourself that God died for you as an emblem of his covenant love that’s stronger than death! He is a rock and the only rock that you can put your full trust and hope in!
“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us”. Romans 5:5
Application:
I invite you take at least a few minutes to relax and listen to this video of some of the promises of God and renew your mind to the truth of God’s unwavering love, strengthening your trust and hope in God! Notice how much better you will feel afterwards! Our thoughts create our feelings, so redirect your attention from your problems to the rock of salvation!
Very moving and inspiring, I was very touched by this message, God bless you!!!