Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Thoroughly Equipped”
Week 3 of 4: “Faith that Defines Us!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Five Blessings of Faith!
Have you ever watched Pawn Stars?
Set in Las Vegas, the owners of the Gold & Silver Pawn shop are met with individuals who have some item they would like to sell. Some of the people who bring items in have researched the item and have an idea of what they would like to get…some make a deal and sell the item…others walk away.
One vignette was of a young man who brought in a Medieval Anglo Saxon Iron Helmet (Watch it here). He had bought it at an auction because it reminded him of the old leather football helmets. He wanted to get $750 for it. After a bit of banter, as often happens, one of the dealers in the pawn shop, invites an expert to come and assess the value of the item…this was no different. The expert explains the history behind the helmet and then tests the metal to determine if it is the right makeup of the period it came from. He tests the metal and declares, “This is one in a million! It’s that rare. I got goose bumps…” The helmet then valued at $15,000! You should see the reaction of the young man who brought it in. His eyes lit up when he realized the value of what he had. He sells it to the pawn shop for $10,000. “I’m in shock. I can’t believe I’m leaving here today with $10,000!”
When he knew the value of what he had, his eyes lit up…I’m sure his heart started beating a little bit faster too!
Paul desires the “eyes of our heart” to light up when we know the hope God has given to us.
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,
Perhaps the reality is we underestimate or don’t realize the value and significance of the hope God has given to us.
This hope isn’t based on an empty promise; it’s based on a completed reality.
Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
This hope isn’t one that will disappoint us; it’s one that will be experienced by us.
Isaiah 49:23 Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”
This hope doesn’t leave when life gets tough; it sustains us in life’s challenges.
Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
This hope doesn’t end at death; rather it extends beyond death.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
There’s more to this hope than perhaps you first realize. We may think what we have is $750 – hope…but the more the Spirit of God opens the eyes of your heart to realize the treasure we have, we realize God has given us a priceless, “one in a million” gift of hope, which is ours through faith.
Apply: Go to www.biblegateway.com or similar online Bible and search the word “hope.” What else does God show you that increases the value of the hope he has given to you?
Prayer: Lord, send me your Spirit to open the eyes of my heart so that I might uncover, know and deeply appreciate the hope to which God has called me. AMEN.