Hope – Marlene Custer
A deadly virus, plummeting stock market, isolation—current news is certainly a reason for despair. If you are feeling that your future is looking bleak, let me offer you some hope! Having hope means you expect something good even though it seems impossible.
With the world in ‘meltdown mode,’ it is essential to turn to Scripture. A good example for us to look at is Jeremiah, the prophet during the last days before Judah went into exile. It was not a popular thing to do to proclaim judgment and the imminent fall of a kingdom. As dismal as circumstances were at this time, he still proclaimed that because he was confident in God’s love, he had hope. (Lamentations 3:21, 22 NIV)
As predicted by Jeremiah, Israel was taken into exile, but in God’s timing, the nation was restored. Eventually, Israel’s greatest hope was realized in the coming of Jesus. And it is Jesus that we must turn to today. We must repent and call upon Him to renew our hope.
God’s word reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but ... present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6,7 NIV) To have peace of mind we must guard what we allow ourselves to dwell on. Paul admonishes believers to think about things that are “noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.”
Oh, God, this is a scary time in my life. Please renew my hope and give me the faith to trust you for my future. Help me to put negative thoughts out of my mind and think on the things that will make me stronger in You.
Marlene is a retired teacher who desires to make Jesus known. Contact |
