An Unshakeable Hope!
We are less than 3 weeks into the New Year and already it’s been epic … and confusing … and stressful … and unbelievable.
(I thought about using the word “unprecedented” to describe what we are going through right now … but I decided not to do it! First of all, the word “unprecedented” is WAY overused … and secondly … the Bible says, “… there is nothing new under the sun!
Interesting, huh?! So, the word “unprecedented” actually does not apply in a historical sense to the events of 2020 or of 2021.
Just my two cents …)
After watching heartbreaking events on television … reading eyewitness accounts on the Internet … and following passionate threads on social media … I thought that perhaps it would be appropriate to talk about what to do in the middle of a mess.
We, as American Christians, have certainly found ourselves smack-dab in the middle of a political blizzard, a relational typhoon, a health tsunami and an economic cyclone.
It seems as if there is absolutely nothing that we can do to control the downpour of unwanted drama and instability in which we are living.
What does a person do in the middle of a circumstantial tornado?
What are some emotional and spiritual safety precautions that a person can take when a hurricane of confusing and stressful winds hits one’s life?
What can you do when the damage is inevitable, the pain is undeniable and the disbelief is ravaging?
What can you do?
First of all, let me remind you that we don’t place our hope in circumstances, in politics or in people.
Our hope is placed in Christ alone.
If you suppose that the government can bring peace to your life … you are wrong.
You are sadly but without a doubt wrong.
If you think that one person is the Savior of all that is wrong … you are correct.
But let me quickly remind you that His name is not Donald or Joe … or Kamala or Mike … His name is Jesus.
As believers in Jesus Christ, when the storms of life assail, and they certainly will, we must hold fast to the sure Anchor.
You are going to love this passage of Scripture that I discovered in the Passion translation of the Bible … it will start your New Year with unprecedented (!) hope!
“So it is impossible for God to lie for we know that his promise and his vow will never change!
And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. This is where we find his strength and comfort, for he empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time—an unshakeable hope!
We have this certain hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God himself.
Our anchor of hope is fastened to the mercy seat which sits in the heavenly realm beyond the sacred threshold, and where Jesus, our forerunner, has gone in before us…” – Hebrews 18 – 20a
Isn’t that just so good? Isn’t it reassuring?!
Don’t expect to extract peace from your circumstances … or hope from a person … or even agreement with a government.
All of our hope comes from Jesus!
All of our peace comes from trusting Him!
Our direction in life comes from the eternal, never-changing Word of God!
Our source of information is not the media … or the internet … or social media! Imagine that!!
All truth … every morsel of truth … is found on the sacred pages of Scripture.
Perhaps during this momentous year of 2021, we should all turn off our television sets … close our computers … take a break from our phones … and immerse ourselves in the Bible!
If you are filled with fear during these infant days of 2021 … remind yourself of these ancient words that the prophet Isaiah spoke nearly 3,000 years ago!
Now, I know that this is a long passage of scripture … but take the time to read it … every word … every phrase … every verse.
This passage was written to a world in political confusion when God’s people were being bullied and treated unfairly.
Isaiah, by the power of the Holy Spirit, spoke not only to men and women of God who lived 700 years before Christ was born but he also spoke to us who are live during the first part of the 21st. Century.
Are you ready to be thrilled?!
Are you ready to be inspired?!
Are you ready to embrace the joy of living at this moment in history?!
“No more gloom for those who are in distress!
Although the Lord greatly humbled the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,he will one day bestow upon them great honor—from the Mediterranean eastward to the other side of the Jordan and throughout the Galilee of the gentiles.
Those who walked in darkness
have seen a radiant light shining upon them.
They once lived in the shadows of death,
but now a glorious light has dawned!
Lord, you have multiplied the nation
and given them overwhelming joy!
They are ecstatic in your presence
and rejoice like those who bring in a great harvest
and those who divide up the spoils of victory!
For you have broken the chains
that have bound your people
and lifted off the heavy bar across their shoulders,
the rod the oppressor used against them.
You have shattered all their bondage,
just as you did when Midian’s armies were defeated.
Every boot of marching troops
and every uniform caked with blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
A child has been born for us;
a son has been given to us.
The responsibility of complete dominion
will rest on his shoulders, and his name will be:
The Wonderful One!
The Extraordinary Strategist!
The Mighty God!
The Father of Eternity!
The Prince of Peace!
Great and vast is his dominion.
He will bring immeasurable peace and prosperity.
He will rule on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom
to establish and uphold it by promoting justice and righteousness
from this time forward and forevermore.
The marvelous passion that the Lord Yahweh,
Commander of Angel Armies, has for his people
will ensure that it is finished!”
No matter what you see happening in the world or in our nation … remind yourself that Christ has come!
Christmas actually happened! It is not forgotten in the events of mankind!
The power and the integrity of the Father rests upon the strong shoulders of our Savior.
There is nothing to fear, my friends! He is still on the throne!
Your assignment this year is to keep your eyes and your heart set on the One who made you … the One who loves you … and the One who holds all authority!
I can do it, can you?!
Thanks for listening to my heart this week. As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me. And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!