"Hope"

I am off and running again! This will be my last post for about a week. I am leaving for Greenwood, Arkansas to hold a meeting there. My next post will be Monday, April 13.

People need hope! I don't mean the kind of hope that has a question in it. "I hope things go well!" We are talking a God-given hope. To have hope in God is tied to two elements: (1) God is faithful. (2) God is able. "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (I Cor. 10:13)

Many seem to want to believe God is faithful and say so. But when difficulties arise, the question within asks, "Will He be faithful to me?" It is not said out loud but as the doubts and fears arise in our heart, hope is lost.

To some, the struggles of life seem like mountains. Fears, anxieties and a sense of hopelessness settle into our hearts and engulf us. We just don't know what to do because we don't know our Lord and God. To have hope in God is to have a confident expectation! How can one be sure? How can one have a confident expectation amidst cancer or other ill health? In the loss of a job? All one has to do is look closely at the cross. How far was God willing to go to secure our lives? Isn't that what God is trying to tell us in Rom. 8:31-34? If God is for us, who is against us? If God willingly gave up His Son, will He not make sure we have everything needed to fight the good fight and finish the course? Hope has God at the center because He is faithful and is able to do as He says. We do not expect anything but the worst because God is not the center of our lives and heart.

When does hope disappear? When God is pushed aside because of our fears and worries. God has the resources (He is able) and will do what it takes for our well-being (He is faithful). We focus on our problems, our defeats and God gets pushed out. Hope is lost because faith is lost (Heb. 11:1). It's easy to speak of God, talk of His greatness and power, speak of His love and mercy when things are going well. We sit in classes or conversations and gloat with right answers. But real, saving faith is the very foundation of hope and hope is based on His ability and faithfulness in each and every circumstance. Does that mean He will eliminate our pain and suffering? NO! Pain and suffering will always be part of our lives but God has something better for us. He uses the pain and suffering to grow our faith. He uses the difficulties to help us lean more and more on Him, trusting in His faithfulness and ability. God cannot deny Himself. He made promises and He will keep His promises. That should give us a confident expectation. We need hope in God in this life and in death. God will be faithful and is able to carry us to eternity no matter what we face here. Hope does not disappoint (Rom. 5:5) and that should thrill us to no end.