02.18. CHAPTER 14 - A DOOR OF HOPE
CHAPTER 14 - A DOOR OF HOPE "I gave her time to repent....." (Revelation 2:21). When we read these words, do we think of an earthly father threatening his daughter with dire consequences if she does not repent?
No. It isn’t so. It is the voice of a heavenly Father who loves His daughter and Who is opening a door of hope for her and showing her a remedy for her faults. He wants her to repent and so He gives her time.
We hear the Father saying, "I will speak to her tenderly and I will transform her Valley of Troubles into a Door of Hope" (Hosea 2:15 - Living)
Think back to another "her" - Eve. God certainly punished her for her disobedience. But along with the words of punishment a door of hope was also opened - a remedy for her sin, a hope of a glorious day when her seed would crush the enemy’s head. The deceiver would be dealt with and her children would still be able to inherit the kingdom of God.
Think of a second "her" - the haughty daughters of Israel and Judah who went after idols. Despite repeated warnings from the prophets whom God sent to them in His love and mercy, they hardened their hearts and spurned the entreaties of God. And so they were led captive and scattered. Yet in the very message of judgment, God opened a door of hope for them too, giving them a promise of restoration in the future (Jeremiah 29:11).
Such is the infinite love of God. Even in His sternest judgments, He always opens a door of hope. As Frederick Faber has said,
"There’s no place where all our sorrows
Are more felt than up in heav’n
There’s no place where all our failures
Have such kindly judgment giv’n."
Let us then use the time given us now to repent, and not be like that wicked, "false prophetess" Jezebel, who mocked God’s warnings and despised his prophets, and about whom the Lord had to say, "She does not want to repent" (Revelation 2:21).
Let us rather be like that other repentant woman about whom the Lord said, "Her sins which are many are forgiven, for she loved much" (Luke 7:47).
God has opened "a door of hope" for every one of us - even for those wives and mothers who have failed the most and who have made a mess of their lives!! God can fulfil His plan for your life even now, if only you will trust Him. Nothing is impossible with our God. Only trust Him.
Those who trust in Him will never be disappointed. As my husband often says, "God is ALWAYS on our side against Satan."