In HOPE

 

 

 

  In HOPE 10.6

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David Timms  

 

 

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 Prayer for Today

Father, I'm grateful that You remain on my side and at my side even when it doesn't seem like it and I don't feel like it. Guard me today from the distractions that hinder my awareness of Your reality. I want to walk more closely with You, more mindful of You, more devoted to You. May You be on my heart ... and my lips. Amen.

Other Writing

David Timms, Living the Lord's Prayer (Bethany House, 2008) -- Now available in paperback with a Study Guide (Jan 2010)

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David Timms, Sacred Waiting: Waiting on God in a World that Waits for Nothing (Bethany House, 2009)

 

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Our Main Word

“What pastors do, or at least are called to do, is really quite simple. We say the word God accurately, so that congregations of Christians can stay in touch with the basic realities of their existence, so they know what is going on…so they will recognize and respond to the God who is both on our side and at our side when it doesn’t seem like it and we don’t feel like it.” (Eugene Peterson, Under the Unpredictable Plant, 172)

 

Not just pastors need to say the word God accurately. It’s also the privilege and responsibility of Christian parents, siblings, friends, and colleagues. When doubt, fear, or grief cast a pall on “the basic realities of our existence” we stand alongside each other with the one word that offers hope and life: God.

 

It’s neither a trite term nor a religious opiate. When that around us threatens to overwhelm us, or that which we see allures us or tempts us, we need each other to constantly affirm that God is on our side and at our side.

 

We live so much of our lives oblivious to the reality and Presence of the Father. We grow steadily distracted by both success and failure, joy and pain, prowess and powerlessness. We gradually tighten our grip on the seen rather than the Unseen.

 

A failing marriage, a wayward child, an unexpected lump, a foreclosure notice, a pink slip—each one grows into a mountain before us and the word God recedes. Fear blinds us, but also has a way of deafening us so that, at times, God sounds like little more than a distant echo—even when we gather with other believers.  

 

Whatever we face today, there is One who is on our side and at our side. God.

 

He does not watch from a distance or impassively. He does not hide Himself or desire secrecy. Rather, as He reminded the ancient Laodicean believers: “I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

 

We share lots of words with each other—words of advice, words of correction, words of information, words of negotiation. Perhaps we could all share a little more today the one word (and the One behind the word) that really matters: God.

 

In HOPE –

 

David

 

 

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You can find back issues of "In HOPE" (2005-2009) at http://www.hiu.edu/inhope/ .

David Timms serves in the Graduate Ministry Department at Hope International University in Fullerton, California. "In HOPE", however, is not an official publication of the University and the views expressed are not necessarily those of the Administrators or Board. "In HOPE" has been a regular e-publication since January, 2001.