No matter how relentlessly optimistic a person may try to be, there are days when the skies are dark! When the forecast is gloomy and the news headlines are all bad, it can hard to hold onto hope. Ever have those days? Sure you have, because we all do at one time or another!
Sometimes it is the state of the world that makes us think that there is no reason for hope in the future. Some scientists point to the rise in the globe's temperature as evidence that the existence of humanity is at stake. Wars continue, fed by religious hatred, political feuds, and economic issues. Sometimes the source of discouragement is much closer to home. We experience sorrow when a family member contracts a debilitating disease, or when divorce tears up a home, or when a once secure job evaporates when the company folds. Sometimes the darkness is inside of us - a recurring depression, a sinful habit that threatens to overwhelm us, or fear of some undefined nature.
A dark mood often yields to encouragement from a friend who helps us to set it all in a better perspective. Taking a break and giving ourselves a few days to rest can be amazingly restorative for our emotions. Learning to master our emotions, using them to make our life rich but refusing to allow them to govern us, is important, too. There is a source of hope that is more effective in dealing with despair than a cheerful song, a couple days at the beach, or self-talk. What is it? God's truth!
Those who belong to Christ will be concerned about the suffering and difficulties of life. They will go through the disappointments that all people endure - war, disease, temptation - included. However, they can rise above the despair that such things bring, because they know, by faith, that they are God's own, held in His hand. John reminds us "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4, NIV)
This week I've been reading through 1 Thessalonians, the inspired letter that Paul wrote to a young church. It is short, just 5 chapters, but it is upbeat! What is the reason for the hopeful tone of the letter? Each chapter closes with a reference to the promise of Christ's return. The apostle tells us to stay hopeful because our Lord has not left us to fate. He is working out His will in us, building His kingdom through us, and will come for us in the moment chosen in the will of God, the Father. Paul does not see the return of Christ as a reason for fear or dread at all! He takes great hope from that promise. "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, NLT)
Unlike some Believers who choose to use the promise of the return of Jesus as a reason to escape life's troubles, Paul urges us to take hope from the promise and then to dig in to make a difference here on earth for God's sake! The Blessed Hope infuses us with courage, keeps us steady, and gives us reason to serve and love in Christ's name. Why? Because we know that even death itself cannot steal our reward. Our destiny is not a grave. Though our voice may fall silent here on this earth in death, we will shout with the saints when we are gathered 'round the Throne of God!
So, take hold of your hope - a hope based not on wealth, health, or sunshine - but rather on the Promise of the Lord. Pray for wisdom in dealing with the challenges, for restored perspective on current events, for the power of the Spirit to overcome the Enemy, and for faith to remain faithful! And may what Paul wrote of the Believers in the letter also be said of us: "The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom." (1 Thessalonians 1:7-10, The Message)
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A parade began at Calvary,
And the saints of all the ages fill its ranks.
O'er the sands of time they're marching
To their King's great coronation.
And this could be the dawning of that day.
O this could be the dawning
Of that grand and glorious day,
When the face of Jesus we behold.
Dreams and hopes of all the ages,
Are awaiting His returning.
And this could be the dawning of that day.
All the saints are getting restless,
O, what glorious expectation fills each face.
Dreams and hopes of all the ages
Are awaiting His returning.
And this could be the dawning of that day.
This Could Be the Dawning© 1971 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright ManagementCCLI License No. 810055
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