Singing Scripture: I Have A Hope

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Have you heard or sung any of these lyrics before?

“…Your lovingkindness is better than life…”

“Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”

“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere…”

“…not to us but to your name be the glory…”

Okay, while they are song lyrics, they’re actually from various verses from Psalms: 63:3, 36:5-6, 8:9, 84:10, and 115:1 respectively.

These are just a few examples. I’m sure you can think of more. What better praise and worship can we offer than to speak–and sing-His Word back to Him!

Then there are songs like I Have a Hope, by Tommy Walker, which have not only words taken from Scripture but which contain Scripture references throughout. Some are obvious references to well-know verses and others could refer to any number of verses which express similar thoughts.

I’d like to explore God’s word through this song with you today.

Please listen to the song first-especially if you haven’t heard it before-and then let’s walk together through it as we meditate on God’s Word.

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I have a hope
I have a future

So shall you know skillful and godly Wisdom to be thus to your life; if you find it, then shall there be a future and a reward, and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off. Proverbs 24:14 (Amp)

I have a destiny
That is yet awaiting me

I was so foolish and ignorant-I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
Psalm 73:22-24 (NLT)

My life’s not over
A new beginning’s just begun

He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! Psalm 103:4-5 (NLT)

I have a hope
I have this hope

God has a plan
It’s not to harm me
But it’s to prosper me
And to hear me when I call

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

He intercedes for me
Working all things for my good

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:26-28 (NIV)

Though trials may come

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. Romans 5:3-6 (NLT)

I have this hope

But take notice, the hour is coming, and it has arrived, when you will all be dispersed and scattered, every man to his own home, leaving Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16:32-33 (Amp)

My God is for me
He’s not against me

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NIV)

So tell me whom, then
Tell me whom then should I fear?

By [the help of] God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me? Psalm 56:4 (Amp)

He has prepared for me
Great works He’ll help me to complete

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Goodness and mercy
They’re gonna follow me
And I’ll forever dwell
In the house of my great King

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalm 23:6 NKJV

No eye has ever seen
All He’s preparing there for me

None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived  what God has prepared for those who love him”- but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:8-10 (NIV)

I will yet praise Him
My great Redeemer

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.” Luke 1:68 (NLT)

I will yet stand up
And give Him glory with my life

Then the leaders of the Levites-Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah-called out to the people: “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, for he lives from everlasting to everlasting!” Then they prayed: “May your glorious name be praised! May it be exalted above all blessing and praise! “You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you.”
Nehemiah 9:5-6 (NLT)

Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. Romans 1:5 (NLT)

He takes my darkness
And He turns it into light

I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ Acts 26:17-18 (NIV)

I will yet praise Him
My Lord, my God

Yes, my brothers and sisters in Christ, sIng praise to Him today.   Claim the Truth of these scriptures and sing the words of this song with new insight and revelation.

Today you can stand up and boldly say,

There’s still hope for me today ‘cause the God of Heaven loves me.

Love,
Brother Bill

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