Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Hope


This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast… (Hebrews 6:19a)


To me, one thought I never want to entertain in my mind is the loss of hope. A person may keep plugging away as long as they have hope. When it is all gone, one may just give up. What if one is giving up on life? This is a very dark and scary place, a place I never want to be.

We must look at what we place our hope in. For example, many people place their hope in their careers, wealth, expensive toys and luxury living. This is their hope in life, living the “good life,” so to speak. I read here (The Economic Collapse Blog) where a survey stated that 48% of the people believe it is likely we will be in another great depression within a year. Will this happen or not? I do not know. For 48% percent of the people to think so, it must certainly be a possibility. If it does happen, will these people who lost their hope in wealth find something else to place their hope in? Of course, economic collapse is not the only threat to one’s hope in wealth; end of life brings it all tumbling down. Like the old saying goes, “you cannot take it with you.” As we can see here, this hope is only temporary.

For when God made a promise to Abraham,
because He could swear by no one greater,
He swore by Himself…
(Hebrews 6:13a)

Why hope in something which will end when we can have hope in Someone who is eternal and bigger than everything? Life will always have its storms, but none will be more powerful than Jesus. When we hope in Jesus, He anchors our soul. No matter how powerful the storm is, Jesus anchors our soul. He will always hold us secure. When the storms come crashing down we know it will pass and our future is secure. As a Christian, we may always have hope. Even if we are on our death bed, we may still have hope. Even in the last hours He may choose to heal us. If He does not, then we are moments away to a new beginning, an eternity with Him where there is no more suffering. We will be experiencing a joy so incredible, it would be impossible to come anywhere close to describing it with words.

When we hope in Jesus, we are hoping in God because Jesus and God are one. Jesus is God. I pray all of us hold onto Jesus at all times, during both the calm and stormy days for He is the One who anchors the soul.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)



All scripture from the NKJV

18 comments:

  1. Your words are timely and soothing; and thanks be to Paul for his incredible insight and faith. Thanks be to God.

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  2. Hope is essential (Proverbs 13:11-13). Good post!

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  3. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. Amen!

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  4. What Clint, Jon, and Lisa said. Thanks for this, Ken. I am reminded that even in the depths of my discouragement, there is always hope.

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  5. If the earth passes away and my life here is no more; I will not fear for my hope is in the Lord!

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  6. Hope is the life preserver to hold on to in the storms of life. It's funny - just today I went with my sister to a craft show, and I bought this little silver necklace. It has an anchor and a boat's helm (steering wheel) on it. I bought it because it reminds me that Jesus is the One who anchors my soul, and the One who steers the helm. (I also posted thoughts today along the same lines...) And your post just confirms for me that this is EXACTLY what God wanted me to hear today!

    I love how you pointed out that hope brings incredible joy - yes, it does.

    GOD BLESS YOU, Ken - and thanks for sharing.

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  7. Right you are Ken....I was just comforting my brother who had his pay cut by $500.000 a pay period and I told him that the Lord would provide, because He always has! It is good to hold onto possessions very lightly in this world, they will never bring you peace! Lori

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  8. Thank you Clint, Jon, Lisa, Kimberly, Allison, Sharon and Lori for your comments. I appreciate them and have a wonderful and blessed weekend.
    Ken

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  9. Yes there is nothing without hope. I love the verse, "For without a vision, man will perish." Vision holds hope, it keeps us going when otherwise we'd give up. God Bless your day.

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  10. Thank you Crystal Mary for your comments and have a wonderful and blessed weekend.
    Ken

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  11. I think that's why it's important to be in touch with other believers. We can remind each other of our eternal hope in Jesus Christ. God bless you, Ken.

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  12. Hope! I love this word! When everything thing looks bleak and down there is always hope. Nobody can take our hope away. Jesus has given us much hope and lots to look forward to.

    Faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love.

    Blessings brother and thanks for sharing.
    <><

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  13. Hi Ken -

    Oh! - Amen and Hallelujah - our Lord is the one who anchors our souls.

    You expressed, "We will be experiencing a joy so incredible, it would be impossible to come anywhere close to describing it with words."

    That so warmed my soul, Ken.

    Thank you

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  14. Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. And his name is Emmanuel, God with us. God is our only hope.
    I was thinking Ken that the simpler the lifestyle, the less one will feel the effects of an economic depression - as in comparing one who lives on a more subsistence lifestyle to one who interacts within a more complex economic web.
    And perhaps it is the simple and uncluttered faith that will weather storms better?
    Thank you for encouraging me to fix my eyes and my hope on Jesus. There is no other way!

    Many blessings,
    Vilisi

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  15. Hope is what I have hung onto for 11 years with my Franks heart condition. Faith will carry us safely through our storm.

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  16. Hi Ken -

    Be encouraged...

    Psalm 29:11 - KJV
    The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

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  17. Thank you Karen, Child of God, Sandra, Vilisi and Dee for your comments. I appreciate them very much and may God bless you,
    Ken

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