GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

River Manifold at Ilam Derbyshire

The weather here yesterday was just beautiful, warm and sunny, so we decided to make the most of it and had a picnic day out in Ilam in Derbyshire, enjoying the hills and rivers tumbling in little waterfalls along the way. 

Sometimes our souls just need to enjoy sitting under the whispering leaves of the trees, taking in the peace and quiet of a little village with a view to take your breath away. We even saw a mummy duck with eight little ducklings being whisked merrily down the river by the strong current, bobbing up and down like little corks as they floated away. It was so funny to watch.😊

It’s good to recognise that everything good comes from our generous God and it’s all the more precious when I think back to only last May when I couldn’t go out and enjoy anything at all as I was too poorly to do it. But praise God He healed me and I’m so incredibly grateful and thankful for all His mercies.

I had so many tests but they couldn’t find a cause. There were nearly 10 months when I could hardly function or go anywhere but we stood on the healing promises and then it suddenly changed and the Lord restored my health. 

I wouldn’t normally mention any of that it was just to remind us He is the God of the turn around and when He does it, it makes you doubly thankful for even the smallest things you take so for granted in the normal course of a day.

Can I encourage you today, if things are tough at the minute, and you maybe can’t do what you would like to be doing for some reason, maybe it’s health issues or other things have ganged up against you, keep believing God’s promises, remember that your circumstances are subject to change just like mine were last year. 

Our God wants us to  believe Him for the breakthrough to come at the right time, to know He still has good plans to bless your heart. So don’t despair, never lose heart. God is always working behind the scenes on your behalf just like He was for me. 😊

Our verse talks about abounding in hope, and another translation says be bubbling over with expectation. So don’t let the enemy steal your joy but always have great expectations of the good things the Lord still has to come. We thank You for them Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.