“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 (NIV84)
A few weeks ago, I taught how to have hope in the midst of hardship. Many people told me that that message was precisely what they needed. I certainly needed to hear it, too! Life is always full of suffering, and there is no way to avoid it. In fact, Jesus promised, “In this world, you will have trouble.” (John 16:33b)
The reality of pain and suffering forces us to ask ourselves, “Where is my hope?” Jean-Paul Sartre, a well-known atheist, was agonizing over the thought of death. People heard him repeatedly say, “I know I shall die in hope…but hope needs a foundation!” I am eternally thankful to God for giving us a solid foundation on which we can have hope – even as we walk through the valley of death, difficulty, grief, and sorrow.
Light and Momentary
The Apostle Paul reminds us that to find true peace and hope during hardship, we need an eternal perspective on our problems. Additionally, Paul calls our troubles here on earth “light and momentary” when compared to heaven’s glory,
“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly, we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV84)
Amen! As Christians, we absolutely have hope beyond the grave. So, let me ask you, “Where is your hope?” Maybe it’s in your health? Is it in your finances? Your success? There are never guarantees in life … or are there? The real question is, “What is your hope founded on?”
You will undoubtedly face difficulties, sorrow, and pain this week. Have your hope founded on the Bible. Let God’s Word fill you with hope as you read it and apply it every day.
Encouraged by hope,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor