Living with Hope
Between the Now and the Not Yet
By Doug Nuenke
The Navigators U.S. President
Do you have hope?
Think for a minute about your current situation. Do you have hope? From the article, list some reasons for our hope.
Your “Now”
What does your “now” look like? Try noting a few things that you like and don’t like about the “now” you are experiencing. Look carefully at the list, and then tell God how you really feel about your current situation. Ask Him to give you His perspective on your current life.
Your “Not Yet”
If your “Not Yet” could be as you wish, would you be content in Christ? One way to joy in tomorrow is having a proper, God centered, perspective about today. Take a moment to review the three sustaining truths for living between the “now” and the “not yet” that Doug mentions in his article.
If you need someone to walk with you on this journey, let us know.
At certain times in our lives, we all experience that inviting vision–a time that is free from the current trials we are facing. Yet that better day can seem far off, and we find ourselves living in the in-between time, between our current reality and anticipated victory. For some, it is living with the longing to be married. For others, it is wondering if they will find a job, or if poor health or a difficult living situation will be resolved. Indeed, we spend most of our lives living between the now and the not yet.
In Haggai, Zerubbabel, Joshua, and Haggai knew what it meant to live between the now and the not yet. God had worked in the heart of the Persian king to allow a remnant of Israelites to return to Jerusalem from their exile in Babylon, a much awaited fulfillment of prophecy. The returned leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua, had been working to rebuild the Jewish temple for about 15 years since the big ceremony inaugurating its restoration! But the temple still lay in ruin. Local opposition, negative attitudes, and Jews focusing on building their own homes had paralyzed the process. On top of this, drought, food shortage, and poverty had taken the heart out of the people. They were challenged, in despair, experiencing a lack of hope, and far from their longed-for future, planted squarely between the now and the not yet!
In Haggai 2:4-9, the prophet gave a stirring word from the Lord to these haggard leaders and the people. His words help us to see three sustaining truths for living between the now and the not yet.
The Presence of God
The first sustaining truth for living between the now and the not yet is found in Haggai 2:4: “… be strong … and work … For I am with you, declares the LORD …” The promised presence of God is necessary for us to make it through, to keep hope, and to know that we do not need to depend on our strength alone to finish the journey. This echoes the same message given earlier to Joshua, Moses’ successor, as he led Israel into the Promised Land the first time (see Joshua chapter 1). Certainly it is easier to be strong when we know that God is with us!
The Promises of God
The second sustaining truth for living between the now and the not yet is found in Haggai 2:5: “This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.” We can have confidence to press on when we remember the promises of God. When we know that God has spoken to us through His Word and has made His path more clear before us, the journey, no matter how rock-strewn, takes on new hope. We need to hear fresh reminders of God’s promises regarding who He is, who He says we are, and the good promises regarding His care and His good future for those that follow Him.
The Vision of God
The third sustaining truth for living between the now and the not yet is found in Haggai 2:6-9, where God tells those persevering leaders and builders, “I will fill this house with glory … the glory of this present house will be greater than the former house … and in this place I will grant peace.” Our hope is stirred and emboldened when we remember the vision of God. We must keep before us the glorious end of the road, the future as God has painted it. The Scriptures are packed full of clear portrayals of God’s vision for our relationship with Him, our relationships with others, the comfort He gives in the midst of struggles, and the good future and rest He provides for us in this life and the life to come.
When we keep in our mind’s eye the fulfillment of God’s plan, it can solidify our resolve to keep going and renew our hope for a better day. No matter what challenges, trials, or waiting God has for you in this present moment, we trust that your time living between the now and the not yet will be more hope-filled because of these sustaining truths: the presence of God, the promise of God, and the vision of God.
Doug Nuenke lives in Colorado Springs with his wife Pam. Doug currently serves as The Navigators U.S. President.
Great word Doug! Me and Pam arrived Okinawa Japan around 21:00 1 Feb visiting our staff here. God’s incarnate presence and prevailing promises certainly do create His kindom vision we so wonderfully get to influence others with around the world. BTW Thank You for your email note recently as God had you pray for me. Jesus’ intercession through folk like you I know deep in my soul keeps me watchful, strong and full of courage. I Cor 16:13,14 has been stirring my soul lately.
Doing all we do through love! Praising God He placed you at this time and in this place leading our US work Doug. May God grant your heart’s desire fulfilling all His purposes in and through you brother.
Mike D
Comment by Mike Darnell — February 1, 2011 @ 2:41 pm
Thanks, Doug. Those are encouraging words.
“be strong … and work … For I am with you, declares the LORD …” The promised presence of God is necessary for us to make it through, to keep hope, and to know that we do not need to depend on our strength alone to finish the journey.”
Right on. The presence of the Lord means everything to me. In Psalm 16, it says that the Lord is my portion in life. Apart from Him, I have no good thing. But with Him, my life is full of eternal pleasures. I have found this to be true.
Lance
Comment by Lance Pulliam — February 2, 2011 @ 12:34 am
Very well put. A refreshing reminder indeed. I am especially moved by the issue of God’s vision, if i saw the world as he did, i would not make some of the decisions i make. If it is about his glory being shown in the world, through all we do and especially in the redemption of man, the basis of our decisions would be radically different. To God be all the glory
Comment by hUNJA Koimburi — February 2, 2011 @ 3:20 am