Friday, May 25, 2012

Hope, Part 4

I truly believe that we are living in a time of hopelessness.  People are looking for someone or something in which they can place their trust.  Our last Presidential election revolved around the word "change."  Change was promoted as the method in which America could be brought out of the economic swoon in which our nation was caught.  According to the views of many people this "change" has not brought the intended results that our nation desired or even needed.  Where do we look when our human abilities does not have the answer to which we are searching?  Where do we look when we find the "rug" of life pulled out from under us?  Will we possess the faith to make "lemonade out of the lemons" that the trials and challenges of life have brought into our personal lives?  I could continue these scenarios but I think that you can comprehend the point that I am trying to make.  Our hope in times like these must be found in the power and promises of Jesus Christ.  I recently read these words from Chuck Swindoll.  He puts into perspective our need to lay hold to the promises of God that are revealed through the person of Jesus Christ.

The anchor of stability holds firm when your navigation system fails. It's easy to lose your bearings in the storm. You can't find your way through the circumstances you face. Life rolls along fairly smoothly until suddenly the seas grow rough. Unseen problems occur. They were not in the forecast. In Luke's words (Acts 27), "All hope of our being saved" is abandoned.  Those are treacherous moments when we reach the point of abandoning hope. At that difficult, gut-wrenching moment, God says, "Don't be afraid, I have a plan."

People facing intense adversity find it difficult to focus on anything other than the towering waves and stinging winds. In Acts 27, Paul firmly announces, "Be of good cheer . . . we've heard from the Lord that none will be lost."  We find stability in storms through what God has said. Your tendency will be to turn to another source for strength rather than the Word of God.  Don't go there! The only anchor of stability that will hold you firm, no matter how intense the gale-force winds, is God's written Word.

All this reminds me of a statement made by one of the ancient Jewish prophets, which supports the reliability of God and His Word. The following words flow from the seasoned hand of Isaiah: "But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you'" (Isaiah 43:1–2). What encouraging words! "Do not fear, I have called you by name." What a great thought!  Isaiah was not writing of literal waters or actual rivers. His figure of speech emphasized encroaching circumstances that threatened the stability of one's faith. When the waters rise to dangerous depths, when difficulties reach maximum proportion, when your ship seems to be disintegrating board by board and starting to sink by life's inevitable storms, God is faithful. He promises, "I will be with you." He is your anchor.

We can be of "good cheer" today because we know that Jesus Christ is alive and that His Words of promise still ring true today!

No comments:

Post a Comment