Tethered to Hope

"I will give her vineyards from there,

And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope;

She shall sing there, as in the days of her youth."

Hosea 2:15

There have been many times when these words have been a safety net for me when I felt like I was in free fall.

The passage of scripture where this verse is found applies both to the restoration of the nation of Israel, and to us individually as the "Israel of God." (Galatians 6:16) It is a promise of personal visitation and deliverance.

Interestingly, we see in this and many other passages of scripture that it is God who leads us into the wilderness. A couple of examples ; the children of Israel, hemmed in by the Red Sea on one side and the Egyptian Army on the other, were led through the sea on dry ground into a wilderness. Even Jesus Himself was "led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." (Matthew 4:1)

The wilderness referenced in Hosea is the Valley of Achor, situated northwest of Jericho on the northern border of the tribe of Judah. It is the place where the Israelites executed Achan and his household. (Read Josua 7) Achor means “trouble, affliction,” and implies a severe kind of trouble.

Why would God lead us to a place of severe trouble and affliction?

First, we know that the wilderness is usually a place of great solitude. I know from personal experience that people will leave your life quickly and decisively when hard times hit. Job had his share of "comforters" around to accuse him when his life fell apart, and we are no different! If you want God to clean house and quickly move out the fakes, run into a trouble or two and watch them flee!

The first time this happened to me I felt hurt and betrayed....now I say a big "thank you, Jesus!" for not only removing people who really do not have my back, but for removing distractions because when you are afflicted and troubled, you need to hear God's voice clearly! (And not the steady din of others!)

Conversely, once you've been lead out of your wilderness to a place of fruitfulness and expansion, you will be met by more people sent to disparage and distract you again. When you're in the wilderness they are sent to blame you and tell you that everything that is happening is because of something you did, or a lack of faith...blah, blah, blah. We know how the accuser works, right? Once out of the wilderness, they are sent to impede your forward progress and it's normally a religious spirit at work against you. So, good times, bad times, failure or success, satan has a strategy to keep you down and hold you back.

Secondly, the valley, or wilderness is quite literally a "low place." Normally when we speak about being in the valley we are talking about being in a time of testing or trial. But this particular valley is more difficult than most to travel through. In addition to "trouble" or "affliction" the word "Achor" in Hebrew means "roiling waters." It's meant to convey the worst type of turbulence - like trying to ride the rapids when they are at flood level stage! It's a place of extreme stress. It's those times in your life when you feel like you are drowning. Those times when you don't know if you're standing on your head or standing on your feet! Disoriented does not begin to describe it.

Have you ever been there? I have many times and I'm sure you have too! I suspect you cannot walk with the Lord and be called to intercession without going through this type of extreme testing. So, what does God do when you are in the lowest place of your life? He provides a door of hope!

The Hebrew word translated as hope is "tiqvah" which in its root meaning pictures a cord attached to things longed for. What a beautiful truth! While we are struggling against a turbulent flood, the Lord throws out a cord or "lifeline" as a means of escape for us! He not only throws the lifeline, He tethers us to the things we are hoping for with that very lifeline!

That child you are praying for? The Lord has tethered you to your greatest hope for them. That marriage you are standing for? The Lord has tethered you to the promise of the continuation of the covenant. That sickness you are battling? The Lord has tethered you to HIS promise that He will heal ALL of your diseases. (Ps 103) AND, in the midst of all of this deliverance, HE offers "vineyards," or a place of fruitful ministry and prosperity! This hope has substance! (Hebrews 11:1)

So, true to form, our Jesus not only rescues, He restores and gives us "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." (Ephesians 3:20) He makes "ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. " (Romans 8:28) When you are in that place of no escape - He provides a door! And we know that HE is THE DOOR. (John 10:9) HE IS THE REASON FOR THE HOPE WE HAVE REGARDLESS OF ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.

Situations, conditions and people can sometimes take a LONG time to change. Sometimes years can go by with no apparent movement, but YOU are changing! You are learning how to hang on with all you've got. You are learning to walk by faith and not by sight. You are learning to be a warrior who is not going to back down. A seasoned veteran who is called upon to fight life's toughest battles!

So, if you are overwhelmed, if you are drowning in the "roiling waters" - take heart! You don't have to be a strong swimmer, you just need to grab a hold of the lifeline and let the Spirit of God lead you out!. Keep asking, seeking, knocking. Stay in the Word. Worship Him for what's ahead, not what your natural eyes see right now or what you've just come through.

Look for the open door in the wilderness. You can't walk through it if you don't see it. You have to be looking for it! You have to be near it so when it swings open, you can run through it!

The children of Israel wandered in their wilderness for 40 years because of murmuring and complaining. I often wonder how many open doors of hope the Lord provided them that they could not see because their backs were turned to Him!

Don't let yourself linger in a place of bitterness or self-pity because of circumstances. I know it's a struggle that we all face. We are all tempted to throw in the towel when we don't see any movement, but we have to be ready for the "suddenlies" of God. It is a move of His Spirit that will provide the door, and it is a move of His Spirit that will provide the lifeline for you. STAY CONNECTED TO HIS SPIRIT - A DOOR OF HOPE IS OPENING TO YOU! WATCH FOR IT WITH EXPECTANCY IN YOUR HEART AND PRAISE HIM BECAUSE HE IS GOOD AND HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER! Amen.