“In His Name, the nations will hope.” Matthew 12:21.
Having hope means to look forward to a thing you desire with the expectation of obtaining it.
As Christians, ours is a living hope because our hope is placed in Jesus Christ, our eternal Savior. The only way we will be able to stand firm at such a time as this, is if our hope is placed on what transcends what this world has to offer. As Colossians 3:2 says, we must set our mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth. This does not mean ignore all earthly duty but rather recognize that we are simply transiting through earth as we head to our home where Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us to live with Him eternally in perpetual joy and light.
This reminds me of the parable of the two house builders that Jesus taught in Matthew 7. For both men, a storm came, they both experience flooding and treacherous winds. The difference between the two was not the surrounding environment, it was not that one was shielded from the trials of life and the other was not. Everyone faced the same storm and turbulent times, the difference was the stuff their foundation was made of. The house built on sand fell during the storm, when the builder most needed its shelter. Bit the house built upon the rock stood firm. We must build our lives on a foundation that is eternal, that will remain when everything else that is of this world fades away. That can only be Jesus. Jesus is the rock of our salvation. And according to Jesus Himself, building our lives upon the rock means hearing His words and obeying them.
So then, everyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. Matthew 7:24
When we profess that we put our hope in Jesus, ours is not the wishful thinking kind but rather an eager and confident expectation that our God reigns supreme, and He will do what He says he will do in His Word. Hope in God is secure and keeps us going through trials and soothes our worries over what the future may hold.
1 Peter 2:4-9
Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight. [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen (honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be disappointed or put to shame. To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone, And, A Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey and disbelieve [God’s] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
The more we soak in the Word of God, we start to see and understand how God indeed knows the end from the beginning. Nothing catches Him by surprise. He has not lost control. The One who watches over us never sleeps or slumbers. Psalm 121:4
Recently, while in a state of worry over the various news stories coming in from all over the world, a friend said something that calmed me and woke up my faith in God: Things are not falling apart, things are falling into place because God is still in control!
The Bible encourages us not to waver between hope and fear, but to set our eyes like a flint, fixing them on Jesus, our help, strong foundation and refuge in time of trouble.
To avoid falling into the spiral of despair, we must keep your eyes upon Jesus, our hope for salvation.
When Peter fixed his eyes on Jesus, he walked on the stormy water! It was only when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm that He began to sink. Thankfully, when Peter called to Jesus for help, Jesus did not reject him for wavering, but took him by the hand and saved him from drowning. This is your reminder to call out to Jesus for help if you have taken your eyes off Him and are drowning in the storm raging around us. Remember that He will never ignore those who call to Him for help because He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 41:6)
Luke 21: 28, 34-36
“Now when these things begin to occur, stand tall and lift up your heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as] your redemption is drawing near…….Be careful that you never allow your hearts to grow cold. Be careful that you are not caught off guard, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the worries of this life, and that day will come upon you suddenly like a trap. Don’t let me come and find you drunk or living carelessly like everyone else. For that day will come as a shocking surprise to all. Keep a constant watch over your soul and pray for the courage and grace to prevail over these things that are destined to occur and that you will stand before the presence of the Son of Man with a clear conscience.”
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