When I study the Bible I usually have an agenda. I know exactly what I’m digging into and what I hope to gain from the text. However, I never know what I will actually walk away learning. He often surprises me. Sometimes, I find myself only a few verses in and have to stop because I need to “chew” on what I’ve just read. I had that experience this morning…

I’ve been reading the gospels and comparing the different accounts. Though I’ve read them countless times before, I’m looking at them with new eyes. This morning I was reading in John 5 about the man healed at the pool of Bethesda. I’ve read this story time and time again, but today, I couldn’t move past verse 4.

For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.

John 5:4

I must have read the verse 10 times. An angel went down… An angel went down… He sent an angel down…

My heart wants to explode with hope over the angel stirring the water because all I can think about is this: if God sent an angel to stir that water for the people who needed healed at Bethesda that day, I wonder what he has angels stirring up for us right at this very moment.

Take a second to think about that…

My definition of hope is Jesus. Anything that I have a possibility of overcoming, having, or being freed from, is only because of His work in my life. And, for me, He is the only hope I need. Knowing that His power and command can send angels to stir up the still waters of my life brings me fresh expectation of a future filled with His hope – a future filled with Him and His will.

Friends, no matter what your circumstances are right now, wherever you are, just think about His love sending an angel to stir up your stagnant, still, waters. Think about the hope you have to be free from whatever it is that is holding you down. The same words we read today in the Bible are just as true as they were when Holy Spirit inspired those men to write their accounts down. He can, and will, do the same in our lives.

Hold onto hope today!

Love,

Jennifer

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