Hope in Christ

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5 ESV). Last week was a very significant week in our nation. Without dealing with the particulars of the decisions of the Supreme Court, let me say that many have missed the great truth as they turn to a desire to control the behavior of people through legislation or government. There is only one government that can guarantee peace and hope. That is the government of Christ. It has been said that man can live 40 days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only one second without hope. No matter what we are facing, we all need hope. But where are we going to find this hope that we so desperately need? We are not going to find it in people or things. Nor are we going to find it in a politician or a political persuasion, regardless of what side of the aisle we are on. Nor are we going to find it in technology or science or in a relationship or in an accomplishment. Sometimes people will put their hope in their investments or their bank accounts or their home. But listen to what the Bible says in Job 8:13–15: "The hopes of the godless evaporate. Their confidence hangs by a thread. They are leaning on a spider's web. They cling to their home for security, but it won't last. They try to hold it tight, but it will not endure." These are very poignant words in light of our nation's present situation. We should not put our hope in people. We should not put our hope in things. We need to put our hope in God. This will give us the strength to go on in life, because we know there is an afterlife where things will be made right. There may be times when you feel helpless, but you never should feel hopeless. The Bible brims with promises of hope for every follower of Jesus Christ. That’s the message for everyone today. I have found it impossible to adequately make the right decision for myself; I sure don’t want to do it for others! Instead, I desire to pint people to the One who can make the right decision in everything, every time. His name is Jesus! There’s our hope!