Considering Hope

In a world where everything seems to be spiraling out of control, a person is left frantically searching for hope. And as the Christian looks at God’s word and reads what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that we must “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in circumstances...” it may seem like a call too big for us to handle. But the thing is, it IS too big for us to handle—on our own.

When we start relying on our own strength face the waves crashing over us each and every day, we start to feel helpless and hopeless. In Psalm 130:1, the psalmist says, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!” The Hebrew people were much more comfortable on land, they were not sea-goers. And so the thought of deep water terrified them. Think of a drowning person...when they’re under water, they want to call out, scream, but all that comes is a mouthful of water. Think of the desperation they must be feeling. THAT’S what the psalmist is describing in that verse. In the depths he is DESPERATE for help. For hope. That someone will reach down and grab their hand and pull them to safety.

That’s what salvation is to us. We’re drowning in sin, this world is, and the people that fill it. We all need a Savior who reaches down and lifts us from the dark waters surrounding us. This reminds me of Peter in Matthew 15 verses 29-31 when it says, "He said, 'come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.' Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him...(emphasis added)." The trials we go through and the uncertainties we face are what reveals where our hope truly lies. When we call out to God in the midst of trials, He will save us. Take us by the hand and pull us out of the tempest. Don't misunderstand me when I say this, the time when the Lord pulls us out of our trial is not guaranteed, the only thing promised is that He will. We may only face the storm for a day, or a week, or a month. Some may face it for years, and some for their entire life. But knowing the Lord, we will have peace one way or another.

As Christians, we have hope, and we find that hope in God’s word. Octavius Winslow said that, “God’s word is the only plank to which faith clings, and clinging to which will float the tempest-tossed, wave-buffeted soul to the shore.” And Charles Spurgeon said, “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the rock of ages.”

I also like the example of Psalm 130 because it’s a picture, again, of helplessness—realizing we cannot survive on our own. We have hope because we were sealed by the Holy Spirit as it says in Ephesians 1:13-14, “In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it to the praise of his glory.” Or in Romans 15:13, Paul says, “may the God of hope full you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.”

We are not alone in this. When it seems like everything is falling apart, when we aren’t certain of what tomorrow may bring, we’re truly able to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances, BY the power of the Holy Spirit.

So, today, I call you to pray that we would remember where our hope lies, and also “...always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in you...(1 Peter 3:15).” Our world needs hope. A hope that you, if you know the Lord, can offer. Remind yourselves of these truths and go and share it with others. “Behold, now is a favorable time; behold, now is the time for salvation(2 Corinthians 6:2c).”