Hope in Our Crazy World - Pt 5

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (1 Peter 4:13-17 ESV).

The last principle for regaining your hope is to remember that our God is One who can redeem the very worst of men and their actions. We serve a God who turns things around. He is the God of the resurrection. And His resurrection power lives and dwells inside of us. Our hope knows no bounds, because it rests in a boundless God! Half of our New Testament is written by Paul who did worse things than almost anyone in our world today. And God redeemed Him. This is the God we serve! Throughout human history, God has worked on behalf of His people whose hearts were His. He has done mighty wonders. He has turned nations around. He has moved in power as His gospel was proclaimed. He has built His Church, and the gates of hell have not, nor will ever, prevail against it. That truth gives us a different way forward. What if we were the people to express our hope and peace in God right now, in the midst of one of the seemingly most confusing and frustrating times in American history? What if we showed honor for all politicians and all people - even those on the other side of the aisle? What if we stopped adding to the noise of hate, disrespect and warring words? What if we walked in the peace of God? It might not change our circumstance, but it would change us. It would bring us a calm and stillness in a time where it seems we should be doing anything but this. It would allow the truth of God to work grace in our hearts. It would allow God's peace in us to brightly reflect the glory of God in a dark world. So, these things, as we have looked at them over the past few days, bring us to hope. I am constantly amazed how simple life becomes when I trust in the truth God has revealed to me. I find that simplicity comforting; and, that comfort them becomes a settled disposition for hope. I hope you have been encouraged. I hope you have been filled with the unshakeable truth of God’s amazing grace!