Ponderings: God’s Word

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Where Is Our Hope?

We are living in times of unprecedented stress. Our families, society, and world are in a constant state of upheaval despite our best efforts to restore control and stability. Many of us feel betrayed by our government, abandoned by our loved ones, and fearful of all the circumstances we cannot control. The stress of it all is debilitating and the burdens have become unbearable. Why is all this happening? Has God finally turned his back on us? These questions are as old as time.

Most of us have felt abandoned by God at one time or another. We have tried—and failed—to control situations we were never meant to control. Even though we might be saved, many of us find it hard to fully surrender every aspect of our lives to God and to give him control of the heartbreaking circumstances in which we find ourselves. We have become slaves to sin, believing that “if it’s to be, it’s up to me.” How arrogant of us to think that we know better than the One who created us and sent his one and only Son to die on a cross for our sin! How might our pride and failure to surrender ourselves, problems, and loved ones keep God from accomplishing his will in our lives?

The apostle Paul wrote, “We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, CEB). As a Christ-follower, he knew that his hope could be found in Jesus Christ, the power of God, and the truth of God’s Word. He knew that God can turn our trials into testimonies so that others may come to know him. He goes on to write, “We always carry Jesus’ death around in our bodies so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies. We who are alive are always being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies that are dying…So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day. Our temporary minor problems are producing an eternal stockpile of glory for us that is beyond all comparison. We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that can’t be seen. The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:10-11, 16-18).

“It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1, NIV). God only wants his best for us, yet we live as if we know better than God. True freedom comes from being fully surrendered to God.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:8-12, NIV).

Jesus is our ONLY hope! Will you trust him enough to surrender your life to Jesus, who died for your sins, and begin your life of victory through a personal relationship with him? He is waiting. He has promised never to leave or forsake you, but you must take the first step by inviting and placing your trust in Him.

Monday, September 4, 2023

Trust God No Matter What

This (2023) has been a year of unprecedented hardship and heartache for so many. Just as we emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, global warming and gun violence blindsided us and took the top spot in the news. Mental health issues, addiction, chronic illness, financial hardship, unprecedented natural disasters, war, human trafficking, and immigration have all escalated as well, making ever more certain the reality that we live in a fallen world that is careening toward death and destruction. But there is hope!

Those of us who know God, know that we can TRUST GOD NO MATTER WHAT. We know that He remains in control, sovereign over all, and that this world is not all there is. We have the hope of heaven and the assurance in His Word that in heaven, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4, ESV). Praise God! What a lifeline He has given us in the midst of a stormy sea! His is the Unshakeable Kingdom. His is the peace that surpasses all understanding, promised to those whose mind is fixed on Him. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3, ESV). Although circumstances may be unbearable at times, we can have joy knowing that God the Father cares for us, that Jesus still saves, and that the Holy Spirit lives and moves within each of us who have called on the name of Jesus for salvation.

Many people, including me, believe that we are living in the last days, but no one truly knows how long “the last days” will last or when Christ will return for His Church. Even Jesus doesn’t know the day or hour of His return. In Matthew 24, Jesus said, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only…Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (vs. 36, 44).

Are you ready? Have you received Jesus as Savior and surrendered your life to His Lordship? Are you reading His Word and living in the light of His promises? Are you actively engaged in worship and fellowship with a Bible-teaching church? If not, I pray you will invite Jesus into your life today by acknowledging your sin (we are all sinners, by the way), seeking His forgiveness purchased for you on the cross, and receiving His salvation. It will be the best decision you ever make. Then look for a Bible-believing church where you can be taught and built up in your newfound faith and enjoy the fellowship of likeminded believers. As one separated from my own family, I wouldn’t take one dime for my church family! I know that when things get tough they will be there to pray for and encourage me.

But what about those who don’t know God? How can we who believe reach the ones who have no hope? We need to live out our faith with authenticity, love others as Jesus did, pray for them without ceasing, give and serve to meet their needs, and be obedient to God’s Word, not only as it pertains to us but also as it pertains to them. God’s Word has much to say about the lost and how we are to treat our fellow humans. Sadly, we sometimes fail to exhibit the winsome character attributes of Christ by choosing what the world values rather than what Christ values and teaches, and in so doing lose the opportunity to reach and impact those who are lost. How tragic for them and shameful for us!

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace…You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:9-14,17-18, ESV).

As believers and Christ-followers let us resolve to TRUST GOD NO MATTER WHAT. May our faith in a good, gracious, loving Heavenly Father be the light that draws the lost to Jesus and brings hope to others in these troublesome times.