HOPE
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Searching today’s headlines can make one feel both overwhelmed and uneasy. The news can grip our hearts and make us fearful. Negative headlines can make us weary and left feeling lost and wondering. As believers, however, we need to remember Who is at the center of our universe and the beautiful promise that He always “works all things together for our good.”
In the midst of the chaos, confusion, and wickedness that seems so prevalent in the world, believers can take a deep breath and exhale a sigh of relief in remembering there is, always has been, and always will be hope. There is always hope because God is our hope. He, in fact, is our everything…all we will ever need…ever.
We have been promised by a loving God, our heavenly Father, that He is with us and we can rest in Him…always. There is never a moment when He forgets us. There is no problem too small that He doesn’t see. There is nothing too far out of His reach or His power. He truly cares about all that concerns us and promises to carry our burdens.
Matthew 6:26-32 is a beautiful truth that needs to be tucked deep inside and etched into every believer’s heart:
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
“If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”
This verse reminds us that nothing, absolutely nothing, escapes God’s attention. He is all-knowing and just. He knows our needs and our circumstances. He sees our pride, our pain, our ups, our downs…our hearts. He also sees what’s done in dark, secret places and He promises to make all things right in His time.
We truly can rest in His care knowing He has our back and His love for us is immeasurable, regardless of what we’re going through or what’s happening all around us. We have assurance that the Creator of our world will never leave us. He will never forsake us. He will never break His promises to us. He will forever be our Father. He will forever be our loving, trustworthy, faithful provider. He will forever be our Savior and our source of hope.
If you’re His child, He is your forever Father, a forever keeper of promises…the great I Am. He shelters you, provides for your every need, and offers His peace which passes all understanding …a peace beyond all human comprehension.
Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of God’s desire for all His children: “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Psalm 91:1-2 brings further encouragement: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”
If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can rest in His promises. You can be encouraged through His Word. He has you in the palm of His hand, and there is never need to be afraid in this world, in your circumstances, in this day-to-day life.
Christians have been promised a peace, a power of calm like no other. When we turn our eyes and hearts to focus on the center and heart of all that’s good…the very One who created calm, we can live joyfully despite the ever darkening world around us. When we choose to be thankful in our circumstances, grateful for the blessings God’s given, and ever seeking His face, God can use us to illuminate His light and bring the gospel of hope in the darkest places, to the most helpless of souls.
And when we choose to dim our pride and self-reliance, and instead humble ourselves and hold tight to the love of God and His promises, the world will see the brightness of His love ever more…piercing through the darkest night and darkest of circumstances, shining the light of hope.
Be encouraged today that God has YOU in the palm of His hand. You can breathe freely. You can release your fears, frustrations, and concerns to the very One who created you perfectly…the very One who knows the beginning from the end. He holds the whole world in His hands. Nothing escapes His attention…nothing! So, dear friend…Smile. Breathe. Pray. Be Thankful. Release your worries.
Be present in His presence. Cling to Him and boldly go where He leads. He is your safety net. He is your source of provision and protection. He will never leave you nor forsake you…that’s a forever promise! Therefore, let not your heart be troubled or your joy stolen. Draw your attention to Him and let Him come near to you.
He wants your trust, your praise, your prayers, your witness.
Allow Him to wrap His arms of love around you today and always.
May you hold tight and be encouraged by these beautiful messages in God’s Word. May each scripture bring your heart joy, peace, and a refreshing new hope to hold onto as you rest in His all-powerful and capable hands.
Matthew 11:29-30 “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalm 56:11 “In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?”
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”