Where is Your Hope?
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
1 Corinthians 15:19
What happens when people put their hope in this world instead of putting their hope in eternal life with God in heaven? Medical News Today states: “Approximately one million people commit suicide each year worldwide, that is about one death every 40 seconds or 3,000 people per day.” “Approximately 33% of suicides are among those younger than 35 years of age who have a primary diagnosis of alcohol or other substance misuse. Among adolescent suicides, alcohol or drug misuse, are factors in up to 70% of cases.” What is the cause of suicide and all the evil in this world? The answer is Satan and his evil ways, pulling people away from God, and feeding them lies about a life that is sinful and self destructive.
In this sinful, fearful world, people who don’t know God often have no hope, and life without hope can lead to alcohol and drug abuse. For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4). People who are filled with the Holy Spirit and who walk with God have overcome the world and have their hope in Christ. They know this world is sinful and life here is only temporary; heaven is their eternal home. God’s people enjoy this life through the eyes of God, and live with peace and joy which allows them to overcome Satan’s weapon of fear.
How do we tell people about the full life given to us by our Lord when they are grounded in Satan’s lies, having hard hearts and no desire to understand God or eternity? This is what the Lord has called us to do as his servants. We need to be thankful that he is the master and we are his servants, meaning that we pray and the Lord guides us to do his will. Since he is the master, he takes control of the outcome. Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:13-14). Many people will follow Satan’s lies to destruction, but only a few will find Christ and follow the narrow road to eternal life. When we minister to people, remember that each soul is precious to God and worth more than all the riches in the world. Bring God’s love and good news to everyone, where there is an opportunity, because you never know what the eternal outcome will be.
Today reveal your hope by your peace and joy, and show that you have no fear from this sinful, evil world because you know that God is in control and that heaven is your home. Your hope is not in this life, and you know the Lord will carry you through this life with victory over Satan and his evil ways. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in him (Jeremiah 17:7).
Let’s Pray: Lord, guide me in the Spirit to people who are fearful and losing hope, that I might tell them there is hope in Christ. Help them to turn away from earthly sinful escapes, and to find the divine escape from this world, and the promise of eternal life. In Jesus name, Amen