Oh Rats!

I recently heard about a study that was done with Norwegian Rats. The researchers used a large vat of water and a spray system to simulate rain falling on the water. The control group rats were simply placed in the vat. What the researchers found was that it took an average of 17 minutes for these control group rats to drown. The test group rats were put in the same vat of water with the same rain falling on them. The difference was that these test rats were rescued from the vat just before drowning. Then they were put back in their cages and nurtured for the next few days. After a few days, these test group rats were placed back in the vat to see how long they would survive after having been rescued once. Amazingly, the average test group rat lasted 37 hours on this second trip to the vat before drowning. That's more than 130 times as long as the control group. By the way, the purpose of this study was to see if 'hope' had an impact on 'ability to survive'.

"… but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." Romans 5:3-5

The word 'hope' to the secular world has quite a different meaning from how we use it as believers. Just think about the difference between "I hope I win the lottery…" and "My hope is in the Lord…" One is based on something that you don't think will happen but you think you'll be very happy if it does and the other is based on certainty. The biblical 'hope' is a 'for sure'… it's that which keeps you going. So this Wednesday let's pray about our hope and get in touch with our hope. Our hope makes all things possible… all things bearable…

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob