Hope Springs (Part 1) - All That Is Yet to Come | Breathing Life with Chelli Morrison

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I [God] am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

In early 2018, my family relocated. As we began settling into our new home, I purchased a small chalkboard to add to our home décor, upon which I had planned to write Bible verses on an ongoing basis.

At the time, a friend happened to share the above Bible verse with me from the book of Isaiah. It had been a trying few years for my family, and a new beginning was most welcomed. The verse was the perfect choice for inaugurating my new chalkboard.

Once display-ready, I placed the newly scripted board on a stand for viewing. As I stepped back and paused to soak in the words, I sensed God confirming this promise to my family. I swallowed the whole verse, like a cold drink of water on a hot summer’s day, allowing it to quench my thirsty soul and refresh the parched recesses of my mind. I then breathed out a sigh of release, and I thanked God for the new things He had in store for us.

I had intended to change the verse on a regular basis. But as the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, the verse remained. It became an anchor of hope that steadied my soul with peace and assurance.

While there were many good things that were unfolding for my family, some of these things occurred amidst new hardships, and there were other things that hadn’t yet been realized – things still to come which were wrapped up in the promise of this verse.

So I left the chalked verse untouched and determined to remain docked in its harbor until the whole promise had been fulfilled.

By this point in my life, I had certainly learned that God’s promises can take time to unfold and likely won’t happen on our timetable nor in the manner that we would desire. God has His own timelines and master plans, and He is often working behind the scenes and setting things in motion that we can’t yet see, some of which may not come into focus until much later.

Some things that have come to pass for my family have indeed been a long time in the making. And in each case, I have a 20/20 rearview of how God wove time and events together to accomplish His purposes, and I have increased gratitude and appreciation for God’s sovereignty and providence.

And though God has delivered on many promises during this season for my family, some things are still in progress and haven’t yet come to fruition. Therefore, the verse remains on my chalkboard. For how long, I don’t know. As long as it takes for God to bring about all that He has promised.

I’m not expecting a life of only sunshine and blue skies. I’m not expecting that all will be smooth sailing ahead or that there won’t be new storms to navigate. I’m not expecting a problem-free life filled with comfort and ease.

What I am expecting is that God will do what He said He will do – in His way and in His time. I can’t say how or when that will be, I can only say that when it happens, I will know.

Until then, I will keep myself anchored to the hope of God’s promises, as I wait, trust and pray. And I will continue thanking God – for all that He has already done – and for all that is yet to come.

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He [God] who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)