There is Always Hope
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.
Romans 15:13
No matter what happens to us we can live this life with joy because we have hope in Christ, who is always faithful. The day we accepted Christ we started our eternal life in the Lord’s Kingdom and we have victory over death because it is nothing more than a transition to our heavenly home.
We hear of the evil in this world, the killing of Christians, governments making laws against Christianity, Christian churches becoming more worldly, and violent acts of evil. Say to those with anxious heart, Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you (Isaiah 35:4). There is no fear for those in Christ because we are saved. The Lord will return for his people and will come with vengeance to those who believe and live by Satan’s lies.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28). The Lord tells us not to fear those who can kill our bodies, our temporary flesh, but fear those who can destroy our eternal souls. Satan’s goal is to destroy souls. He does this by trying to get the love in our hearts to grow cold, or to deny Christ to save our flesh. We can stand strong in the faith with the knowledge that we have eternal life and the world cannot take away our heavenly home.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:22-23). All those who have been persecuted and died for Christ are the heroes of the faith; their reward in Heaven is great.
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown (Revelation 2:10). Christians are to remain faithful servants of the Lord and to minister to the lost souls who are living in Satan’s lies. A Christian can bring God’s truth in love to take away the darkness in these blinded souls. Everyone will eventually know the truth, but unfortunately it will be too late for many. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14). Satan makes it easy for people to follow the broad road to destruction because it satisfies their fleshly desires. Only a few people take the time to find the truth, the narrow road, because Satan makes it look difficult and puts a fear in us that we will lose what we think is the good life.
Today reveal your joy and hope because you are saved and heaven is your home. The world cannot hurt you because your soul is in the hands of God. The love God has put in your heart has destroyed Satan’s fear, making hope even stronger. So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).
Let’s Pray: Lord I will live in hope and joy because you are my God and you protect my soul from the evil one. Never let my love grow cold but help my faith to grow stronger. Help me to endure just as Christ endured the cross for me. In Jesus name, Amen