A Message of Hope

I like story Alan Smith tells about Tom who had never been on a fishing boat before and now thinking it was the stupidest thing he’d ever done in his life. Who would ever have believed that seasickness could be this awful? With every pitch and roll, Tom wondered how he was going to survive the remaining two hours of the trip.

One of the deck hands came up to him and said, “Don’t worry, young fella. Nobody ever died of seasickness.”

“You’ve just taken away my last hope for relief,” Tom said.

It’s tough to live without hope. In fact, some people’s life can hardly be called a life because it is so miserable. It maybe in the form of poverty. Sickness. Physical handicaps. Emotional distress.  The pain is bad enough.  But life without hope is almost beyond the ability to endure.

Yet, worse than having no hope in this life, is hopelessness in the life beyond.  Prior to becoming Christians, Paul reminds the Ephesians of what it was like.  “Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.” (Eph. 2:12, NIV)

The message of Jesus is one of hope.  The hope of the gospel affects and infects your life in every way, both here and beyond. It improves your attitude.  Gives you a new perspective. Provides a welcome relief.  Bolsters your spirit.  Soothes your soul.

An unknown writer expressed hope in this way.

               Hope opens doors where despair closes them.

               Hope discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what  cannot.

               Hope draws its power from a deep trust in God.

               Hope “lights a candle” instead of “cursing the darkness.”

               Hope regards problems, small or large, as opportunities.

               Hope cherishes no illusions, nor does it yield to cynicism.

               Hope sets high goals and is not frustrated by repeated difficulties or setbacks.

               Hope pushes ahead when it would be easy to quit.

               Hope puts up with modest gains, realizing that “the longest journey starts with one step.”

               Hope looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worst.

            If you are looking for a fulfilling purpose, a positive direction and a new focus for live, there is hope in Jesus Christ.  If  you have become weary and discouraged with the problems and challenges you face, let me  encourage you to come to Christ.  Embrace Him. Anchor your hope in Him.  And claim this great promise: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet 1:3-4)

            “May the GOD of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)