Source of hope

(By Michael Larsen)

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 

In a very dark time like this, when there is a threat to our health all around us and many people are hurting financially, maybe even with their business ruined, it’s natural to ask - Is there hope?  People are looking for hope in their illness, in their jobs, in their marriages, and in their lives in general. Hope is essential for handling the crises of life. Because when people have hope, they can endure difficulty and suffering. But when hope is gone, people fall apart – emotionally, physically and spiritually. But, where can you go to find the hope that you need? If you are a believer in Jesus, then you have an important source of hope. You have hope that God will work in your life. You have hope that God can change your situation, that God can meet your needs. 

Last week I said that God is the only true source hope in Romans 15:13:“May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in Him.” 

In other words as you put your faith in God, He gives you peace, joy and hope because we know three things: 1) God watches over us and cares for us, 2) that his purpose is working in us if we respond with faith and trust, and 3) no matter what the outcome, we have a heavenly home awaiting us.

Today I want to talk deeper about those three things.

1. GOD’S PRESENCE IS WATCHING OVER ME.

We cannot control much of what’s in the future. In Isaiah 41:10, God tells us “’Don’t worry because I am with you,’ says God.  ‘Don’t be afraid, because I am your God.  I will make you strong and I will help you.  I will support you.’” The good news is, regardless of what happens, we don’t have to go through it alone.  There is a God who will be with us. That is one of the certainties of life that I can hold on to. When I hold onto that certainty, I have hope. There are times in life when people leave us. Or we lose a job. Or we lose our good health. But God will never leave you. You’re never going to be left alone. God will always be with you.

Psalm 32:8”I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and will watch over you.” 

2. HIS PURPOSE IS WORKING IN ME.

No matter what’s happening in my life – good, bad, or ugly – God’s purpose is working in me.  Sometimes we ask, “Why is this happening to me?” If you see a purpose behind your problem, it gives you hope. It also gives you power to endure it. And God says, I am working in your life and I have a purpose no matter what’s happening.  

Romans 8:28 ”We know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”  Notice that it doesn’t say, “All things work out the way I want them to.”  It does not say, “All things have a happy ending on earth” because that is not true. Illnesses, relationships, a business failure, or a bad career decision do not always have a happy ending for us. But we can be confident that God is in control, and for those people that love God, God can “cause all things to work together for good.” 

3. GOD’S PLACE IS WAITING FOR ME.

When things get unbearable in your life, remember that our ultimate hope is heaven. There’s more to life than just here and now. We have an ultimate destination. And God is preparing a place in heaven for you.

Notice what Jesus said.  John 14:1-3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  

In Heaven there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. That gives us a reason for hope. When a Christian dies, we can rejoice for that person because we know they’re going to a much, much better place. We grieve.  But we’re not grieving for that person. We’re grieving for ourselves because we’re going to miss them. Or if they were an unborn baby, we grieve because we never got to know them. The Bible says, “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” 

If you are feeling hopeless about something in your life, listen to the words of Isaiah 46:3-4 “Listen. I have upheld you since you were conceived and I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same.  Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and I will take care of you.  I will carry you and save you.” And let us close with the words from Isaiah 40:31, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  

Prayer:

Dear God, You know exactly how we feel.  You see the confusion and the sadness in our souls. Help us to trust it all to you. Help us be more aware that You are always with us and that You’re always watching over us. Thank You for working in our life even when we didn’t know it or understand it. Thank You for Your purpose.  Help us to know follow Your purpose for our life.  Help us to grow in our relationship with You so that when we die, we can be with You.  We want to put my trust in the hope of heaven.  In Your name we pray, Amen.