We live in a fallen, sinful world. There is pain and suffering everywhere; sometimes it is all we see, but the Devil has no greater desire than to make us despair. We must learn to rejoice and put all of our hope in the Lord no matter what our circumstances may be.
Something that is often overlooked is the importance of hope! Hope is what sets us apart from the world! It is what people see in us, that makes them want what we have.
1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
Those who don’t have Jesus are full of darkness and despair. They are without hope! Depression is rampant everywhere. Everyone is searching for happiness and for meaning in life, but they are never satisfied.
God allowed King Solomon to have and experience more than anyone else ever will in this life, and he said it was all vanity and didn’t satisfy. He concluded Ecclesiastes (his search for wisdom and the meaning of life) by saying that living for God and what brings Him glory is the whole duty of man, and the only thing that will ever truly satisfy.
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand. All other ground is sinking sand.” (Hymn by Edward Mote)
1 Peter 4:12-14 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
There will be many fiery trials that we must walk through, but God says He will never leave or forsake us. He wants us to have hope in His goodness and mercy, and faith in His precious promises.
