Remembering the Hope of God's Promise

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh -- who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands -- that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." (Ephesians 2:10-12 NKJ)

We are who we are, but sometimes we tend to forget our identity. We tend to forget who we resemble. We tend to forget our heritage. The more disconnected we become, the less of our past we remember. We are like the girl who thought of her deceased mother and realized she couldn't remember her mom's face anymore.

It had been a tragic day in young Brenda's life when her mom had died. She had exercised great wisdom and maturity when she explained to friends that her mom wouldn’t be suffering anymore in heaven. But then her dad had decided to accept a job promotion, which required a move to a new city. And since he had met Charlotte, well, he just wasn’t there for her anymore. Brenda felt totally disconnected. From her dad. From her life. From everything.

She had become so absorbed in thought that she didn’t know her dad had sat down until his arms enclosed her in his warm embrace. After a few more moments of tears, dad brushed them away and assured her that she would always enjoy his love and care.

Then he opened the "memory" album. Together, they just sat there enjoying the photos. There were photos of her mom and dad in their younger years. There were photos of Brenda when she was younger too. Suddenly, Brenda began to see herself in a positive light. She realized that she was the same person, just a little older and still hopeful in God, as mom had taught her.

Memory is a good thing. Remembering the past motivates me to recognize the hope I have in God. I was "shut out" from the fellowship of God's family and a "stranger" to his promise. But then, I remember his deliverance and "his workmanship" in me. I remember how he has "created" me to do his "good works." These memories keep me connected to Christ and my hope in him.

Dear Father, thank you for your deliverance from my past. Remind me of why you created me anew in Christ. Empower me with a daily connection to hope. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

We have the hope of God's promise!