Adam's
sin guaranteed for us a life of struggle and trials; even creation suffers for
it. Hopelessness constantly nips at our heels. A hopeless life is a disheartening
existence, which crushes our soul and affects our health in body, soul and
spirit (Job 17:15).
Yet,
when life stomps on our last strand of hope, many humans will valiantly knit
another one to keep from falling into the abyss of depression and hopelessness.
Our indomitable human spirit refuses to give in or to give up.
The
good news is that our earthly reality is only a shadow of what God prepared for
His Saints (1 Chronicles 29:15). God is our only real hope in times of trouble.
As we walk in His truth, we are totally alive and joyful (Proverbs 13:12).
God
reminds us that we are aliens and pilgrims on this earth, serving God until our
graduation day when we shall receive our eternal rewards (1 Peter 2:11). Our
hope in eternity allows us to live in Christ's victory - steadfast and
immovable for the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:54-58).
The
resurrection of Jesus from the dead is our living hope, our incorruptible and
undefiled inheritance that never fades away. God reserves it in heaven for all
Believers, and gives us faith that our trials are only temporary (James
4:13-14).
God's
hope fills our hearts with His peace and joy by the power of His Holy Spirit,
regardless of our horrifying circumstances (Romans 15:13). We trust in His
salvation for our body, soul and spirit throughout our lifetime (1 Peter
1:3-6).
God
gives us His rest and safety in this world. We rest in our secure hope in
Christ without fear of the future (Job 11:18-19), and the Lord takes pleasure
in us (Psalm 147:11). God is our shield in times of affliction, and He lifts up
our head when depression attempts to overwhelm us (Psalm 3:2-3).
Prayer:
Father
God, we sleep in peace without fear, because You sustain and provide for us,
even in overwhelming circumstances (Proverbs 3:4-6). We rest in the fact that
You have a perfect plan for our life, which will not harm us, and which is for
our benefit. Due to Your love, life will in no way irrevocably harm us
(Jeremiah 29:11).
You
work out every issues for our ultimate blessing (Romans 8:28). We have constant
access to Your compassion and sustaining peace, which produce hope in us, and
never disappoint us through every trial. Your Holy Spirit pours out Your love
into our heart, because even while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us
(Romans 5:2-7).
Thought
for the Day:
We
live in strength, dignity and courage without fear, because of our secure hope
that Christ in us fights for us against all of the negative aspects of our
existence on this earth.
- Job 13:15; Joshua 10:25, John 5:6
