July 30, 2018
“God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”—Colossians 1:27
I am Christ in you, the hope of glory. The Messiah—the Savior of the world—lives in you! This promise is for all who have faith in Me: I dwell in your hearts through faith. This amazing blessing is a work of My Spirit in your inner being.
The more you trust Me, the more you can enjoy My indwelling Presence—and the more effectively I can live through you. In a world that may seem increasingly hopeless, remember that I am the hope of Glory. This hope is ultimately about heaven, where you will live with Me forever. But the Light of heaven’s Glory is so brilliant that some of its rays can reach you even in the present— no matter how dark your circumstances may appear. I am the Light that shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it. As you follow Me along your life-path, clothed in My righteousness, this light shines brighter and brighter until full day.
I am God your Savior. I guide you and teach you, so put your hope in Me all day long. I guide you according to My truth, and I teach you important lessons as you follow the path I’ve prepared for you. Because I am both your Savior and your God, I’m able to help you with the obstacles you will encounter. Your difficulties can even be blessings when they draw you into deeper dependence on Me.
It is important to have your hope in Me all day long. It’s easy to be confident and trusting sometimes—when you are well rested and things are going smoothly. However, when things get hectic or unpleasant, you often forget the object of your hope: Me. Yet this is when you need Me the most! So make it your goal to keep your eyes on Me all day long. You won’t be able to do this perfectly, but it is a worthy goal—one that gives focus to your thoughts. It also helps you enjoy My Presence as you go along the path of life.1
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”—Ephesians 3:16–17
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”—2 Corinthians 4:172
You asked to be made humble, to be used by Me, to find happiness and fulfillment. Perhaps you didn’t know how I would answer you, and that My answer would be to wash you with tears, to massage your heart with trials, and to make you a new creature through pain. But these lessons learned in this difficult way are some of the sweetest and most precious of all, because they bring forth beauty for ashes, joy from sorrow, and a smile that is more beautiful because it is surrounded by tears.
That is what I have been bringing forth in your life: the sweetness and quietness of spirit of one who finds contentment in loving and serving Me and in the simple things of life. How complicated life can become when you struggle to make sense of it all instead of accepting and trusting in My plans for your life! You have learned that things that seem so right and perfect can crumble around your ears, and things that seem insignificant can stand strong if they are supported by My Spirit. I have shown you all these truths through the things that you have experienced throughout your life.
You have found that you can stand strong with Me beside you, no matter what circumstances you face. This realization is one that you will need in the days to come, at those times when only I will be there to lean upon, to counsel with.
Haven’t you found that those challenging times are often the times when you run to Me for help and answers? Haven’t you clung to Me then, and realized how ephemeral the things of earth are and the unfading value of eternal things? These precious lessons are worth more than temporary comfort and ease.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven!3 Rejoice and count it all joy when you face times of trials and challenges, for they work for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.4 Rejoice, for My purpose will be completed in you. As you commit all your ways to Me, I will continue to perfect and complete the good work I began in you.5
“The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”—Proverbs 4:186
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”—John 17:22–237
I prayed My final parting prayer that you may be one, as My Father and I are one, and I continue to pray for you, My beloved, to be one so that the world may believe that My Father has sent Me.
I prayed for you two thousand years before you would even be born that you could one day be here with Me, to behold the glory and the splendor that My Father bestows upon Me. I have given you the same glory that My Father has given Me. And so I pray that you may be one in Me, and that you also may be made perfect through Us.
I pray for you, that you may be one in faith, hope and purpose, and one in Us, and We in you. For in this unity I am able to pour down My blessings. In unity you will find your strength. So make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, that My power may rest upon you.8
Published on Anchor July 2018. Read by Simon Peterson. Music by Daniel Sozzi.
1 Sarah Young, Jesus Today (Thomas Nelson, 2012).
2 KJ 2000.
3 Matthew 5:12.
4 James 1:2; 2 Corinthians 4:17.
5 Philippians 1:6.
6 ESV.
7 NIV.
8 Ephesians 4:3.
Copyright © 2024 The Family International