Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"
Matthew 8: 23 - 27 NKJV
There has certainly been a lot of anxiety across our nation lately. I have even heard more than a few people comment that they've lost all hope that things will ever return to a sense of a normal life. In the past year we have been witness to unprecedented social lockdowns on account of a virus who's severity you may or may not believe in. Nonetheless, here we are. Add to that the instances of obvious election fraud we have seen in the aftermath of our national elections. To be honest, I can understand how one might contemplate all that is going on and come to the conclusion that hope...is lost. Well, being a bit of a pessimist myself, I've fallen into that rabbit hole that tells us there is no hope from time to time. I'm here to tell you that hope is alive and well. How is it that I can attest to that? Well, just this week we have learned that the long awaited coronavirus vaccine initiated by president Trump will begin being distributed in the next few weeks. That in itself is reason for hope. However, we have also learned that more than a few of the legal battles being fought against the fraud of this past election may be on a fast track to being decided in the Supreme Court. This may indeed be some long awaited good news for many, but what about when the next life crisis rears it's ugly head? What about when that next storm comes? Will your hopes wash away as quickly as they have with our recent events? If so then your focus might be misplaced. In other words, where is it that you are placing your hope? In whom are you placing your hope? Is your hope in Donald Trump that he might bring stability to our lives once again? If so then you might want to consider who it is that allowed Trump to be where he is today. We're told that our governing authorities exist and are appointed by God {Romans 13:1}. Yes, we have the freedom to choose who we wish to see in office, but ultimately it is God who raises up for Himself leaders. I was contemplating this scripture this week before I realized that my own hopes had been misplaced. For those who know the Lord, there is never a reason to lose hope.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8: 28 NKJV
I'll admit that I am a devoted listener to conservative icon Rush Limbaugh, have been for years. Now, some there are people who criticize him for stoking fear in his audience. I disagree. A favorite Limbaugh quote he has used often lately since his cancer treatment began is "I woke up this morning and thanked God that I did!" Not long ago, my own emotions followed the ebb and tide of the shifting winds of current events. I'll admit that when we're surrounded by bad news, it can be difficult to keep our thoughts grounded. But when we know the Lord Jesus, we are never surrounded by bad news. The apostle Paul assured us of this in Colossians where he shared the greatest hope of all...the hope of glory in Christ Jesus {Colossians 1:27}. Paul was speaking to the reality of Christ in us, which he also introduces in Galatians {Galatians 2:20}. Our hopes are not to be grounded on the whims of the world, but on the hope of the glory which we have in Christ. And if we have Jesus, we know that all things work together for good because we love Him. How many of you have thanked the Lord for all He is doing in our nation? Yes, many of you will say that it looks as if our nation is teetering on the edge, but does that change who God is? Does that change who you are in Christ? Despite all that rages around us, we are to be content with the constant knowing that He is in us. Jesus is a intimate part of who we are. When we encounter the storms, it is Jesus who walks through them with us. He is a part of all which we feel, experience and do. Tell me, how is that a reason to lose hope?
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles; which is Christ Jesus in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1: 27 NKJV
~Scott~
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