The Sound of Hope

A while back, my husband was watching a Revolutionary War movie, and even though I was in another room, I could hear the booming of canons. It made me think that perhaps that sound stirs up fear so much so that it is the reason we fear, at times, the sound of thunder. And then the musical notes of flutes resounded. Their “voices” were the sound of hope overcoming and drowning out the booms, the fear, and inspiring courage.

This is what God’s Voice, His Word, does. It speaks over the booms, the fear, sounding in our lives. It speaks of the Lord’s great power and mercy. His Voice is the sound of hope, the song or musical notes that we can echo in our hearts to give us courage and make us march forward with bravery.

The prophet Jeremiah, as the enemy “boomed” around him and Judah, heard the voice of the Lord say, “Just as I brought this great disaster upon My people, so will I do all these good things I have promised to them. Property will be bought and sold once again in this land about which you say, “This land is a wasteland—not fit for man or beast—for it has been handed over to the Chaldeans.” Property will be bought and sold once again for silver—deals will be made and deeds signed in the presence of witnesses—in the territory of Benjamin, in the vicinity of Jerusalem, in the villages of Judah and the hill country, in the villages of the western hills, and in the cities of the Negev. In all these places I will restore them from their exile.” (Jeremiah 32:42-44 VOICE)

This prophecy was God’s Voice to Judah to give them hope. It was the sound of flutes meant to overcome the booms of the enemy. Although they were in the midst of disaster, restoration was coming.

The Lord speaks over our lives in a similar way through the words of Peter as inspired by the Holy Spirit. “Celebrate with praises the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has shown us his extravagant mercy. For his fountain of mercy has given us a new life—we are reborn to experience a living, energetic hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We are reborn into a perfect inheritance that can never perish, never be defiled, and never diminish. It is promised and preserved forever in the heavenly realm for you! Through our faith, the mighty power of God constantly guards us until our full salvation is ready to be revealed in the last time. May the thought of this cause you to jump for joy, even though lately you’ve had to put up with the grief of many trials.” 1 Peter 1:3-6 (TPT)

We may have grief and trials today, but tomorrow celebrations will arise. Keep the sound of hope echoing in your hearts so you are listening, alert, and standing tall in the faith, courageous and strong. (from 1 Corinthians 16:13)

 

*****

On a much different note, this same movie had a scene where the characters were debating what to do with some dogs that had been left behind. One suggested they eat them. My husband said that at that point, Justified—a year old labrador, who was sitting on the couch beside him, looked at the television and then at him and then back at the TV as he couldn’t believe it! Eat the dogs!! No!!!