You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior.
You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas.
Psalm 65:5 (NLT)
My brother captured this phenomenal image from the skies of Naples, Florida and shared it with our family as he reflected: “Life today: Stormy, yet there is hope.” I immediately was inspired to write about this profound statement.
When we stop to see what is going on around the world, we may agree that we, as a humankind, are going through a global storm—the pandemic. Simultaneously, there are many countries that are experiencing the aftermath of catastrophic floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, volcano eruptions, riots, protests, terrorism, increased crime, and the list goes on. The world is getting darker. But, as the picture shows us, there is light beyond the storm. There is always hope!
God speaks to us in many ways. Sometimes He speaks to us through an amazing horizon like this scenery. Other times His Word tells us what to do and hope for. Yet other times, He speaks to us through another believer. In every instance, He is continually reminding us that He has not left us. He is right here with us—in the storm, through the storm, and after the storm. It is important that we don’t ignore the storm. We must recognize the storm for what it is. Sometimes we bring the storm to ourselves because our actions have consequences. Other times, we live through the storms that someone else brought to us because they are in our lives. And then there are the storms that come just because we live in a lost world where bad things do happen to good people.
Yes, there is always hope. But the hope is not in riches, in science, technology, nor a president, nor a country… Our only source of hope is Jesus! It is so simple yet so hard to accept and comprehend that “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it” (John 3:16). The message of salvation, the message of hope must be told.
Our common mission as Christians is to share the Gospel with the world. One way is to share the Word of God with others. Isaiah 55:10-11 says, “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace.” We plant the seeds of the Word of God, and He ensures it produces fruit in that person’s life.
I know many believers who are living through horrible, unthinkable storms right now. Yet they are hanging on to the little ray of light that comes from knowing Jesus Christ personally. They have the revelation that God will get them through it, despite the deep pain they feel while walking in the valley of darkness. The Lord promised us that He will be with us during our tribulations and reminded us that He overcame the world.
I will leave you with Scriptures that encourage us to put our hope in the Lord:
Job 11:18 Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.
Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the people turn from their wicked deeds. Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Psalm 25:5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Psalm 31:24 So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!
Psalm 33:20 We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 39:7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.
Psalm 42:11 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!
Psalm 119:116 Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed.
Be encouraged, Jesus told us in John 16:33:
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”