How seriously do you seek and claim hope?

Acts 26:6
And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers.

We will be judged for the hope we have in God's promises to our ancestors. In particular, the scripture likely hearkens to Abraham and the set of promises made to the Israelites - but if you are a believer and follower and acknowledger of Christ Jesus, this also includes you; you are an adopted son, accepted and grafted into the clan, not on your the basis of your own gifts, but due to your election to acknowledge that Jesus died for your sins, and that only through His love and sacrifice are you worthy of heaven.

Now consider what this verse says - it does not focus on what you did, it does not focus on the tasks you accomplished, nor does it even care what nationality, what denomination you hold, or for whom you pray.

It asks a very simple question, one that I believe God asks each of us:
"How seriously do you take my promises? Serious enough that being filled with the very hope of the promise is enough to claim faith to act as if the promise were already fulfilled, or actively being fulfilled?"

This is a powerful question, and strikes deeply, especially in our culture of fast and impersonally personalized gratification, where we're trained to use micro-waves to heat our food and are still impatient that it takes 30 seconds.

How often do you thank your creator for the things you don't recognize?
How often do you actively and consciously act on the hope of His promises?

I challenge you, dear reader, to spend half an hour today, in a quite space, to talk with Jesus about this.
... if you do not know of promises He has intended for you, ask Him for them
... if you do know of those promises, pray for long-suffering and discernment for wisdom

All in all, seek to reclaim today for His glory and allow the hope of His promise to guide your steps!