Hope

Hope; it’s a simple word. Four letters, one syllable; yet it means so much. Could you imagine a life without hope? Hope that you will get that dream job, hope that your child will be happy at school, hope that you will be well again, hope of an afterlife. Having hope can transform a life, it’s certainly transformed mine. My hope isn’t found in the material things, in jobs, cars, family or friends; my hope is found in Jesus Christ.

Life has changed so much in the last month, at times I have found myself struggling to understand, to take it all in, grieving over what life was and what it may be when/if all this madness over a virus goes away. Anxiety, sadness, fear, panic, they have all gripped me at times. Yes, I am a Christian and I feel all these things, this fleshly body of mine will always jump to these emotions, these feelings that take control of me for a time, but then I am reminded of who God is; He is kind, loving, caring, merciful, all knowing & He has not given us a spirit of fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Feelings are so fleeting. I mean, think of how many different emotions you’ve had today. They change so much, but faith does not change. Gods word doesn’t change, it is there for us to take comfort in, to absorb and learn and grow ever closer to the Lord every time we read it. In His word there is comfort, and above all, there is hope.

To come to Him, to believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, that God raised Him from the dead three days later, conquering death, giving us the chance of salvation ( Gods free gift to all of us ), to confess that Jesus is your Lord & Saviour, this is what it is to be born again. You will be a new creation, filled with the hope of things to come. Romans 10:9 ” That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Time on this earth is temporary, I’m just passing through, as my home is with the Lord. If you are an unbeliever, I don’t believe it is by chance that you are reading this. The hope that Jesus offers is for everyone; for all who call upon the name of the Lord (shall be saved). This is nothing to do with being religious and following rituals, this is about a relationship with God; the creator of the world, which is awesome! Think about that for a minute, it is truly the most amazing thing.

He has set me free from so many things, has blessed my family so much and, above all, given me life eternal. To know He is with me through every trial and heartache I go through means everything to me.

Don’t put it off, now is the time. This virus is a wake up call, a final chance, if you will, to get right with God and give your life to Him. ( I don’t believe God created this virus, but I know God always shines His light in the darkness, bringing good out of times like this & many souls are coming to Christ.)

2 Corinthians 6:2b “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

I hope you enjoy this beautiful hymn, based on Psalm 91. Such a comforting Psalm to read right now. He is my refuge & I encourage you to turn to Him, He loves you so much.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(Originally written and posted on my previous blog in May 2020)