Thoughtful Thursday: Where is the Hope?

It seems that the world is in turmoil everywhere you look.  Turning on the television, picking up a newspaper, or even just talking to people, you can see and feel the hurt and frustration in so many hearts and lives.  They feel hopeless.  Where is the Hope?

I recently read this quote by Steven Curtis Chapman where he said “Where is the hope? I meet millions who tell me that they feel demoralized by the decay around us. Where is the hope?  The hope that each of us have is not in who governs us, or what laws are passed, or what great things that we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people, and that’s where our hope is in this country; that’s where our hope is in life.”

“Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people,” 

That is what it really boils down to.  God working through His people is the key to hope and change.  But remember that God does not force change in the hearts of His people.  In Proverbs 23:26 He says “My son, give me thine heart” We must let Him have the control.  This must be done willingly through a humble surrender. 

Once He has control, He can do mighty things.  God can use us to bring the hope of eternity to a lost world, through the gospel.  Looking forward, past the turmoil of today, to His return can bring peace and hope.  Titus 2:13  “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”  

He can also use us to show His love to others.  Many times in the Scriptures He says “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”  How often can a kind gesture turn a seemingly bad day around?  It reminds you that amidst all the bad, there is still plenty of good.  Allowing God to work through our hearts to show His love to others, can undoubtedly bring hope, reminding them that there is still good when it seems that there is nothing but bad.

Most importantly, remembering that no matter what, God is in control.  Feeling worry and hopelessness will not change anything, so why not just trust in the One who has complete control.  Where is the hope?  There is The Hope!

Psalms 31:24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”