SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1099

“Living Hope”

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, – 1 Peter 1:3

The current Covid 19 pandemic has set our world societies in a tailspin. People are dealing not only with the loss of health and life but also with the loss of jobs and interpersonal relationships.

World leaders and medical experts are desperately seeking to instill hope in the masses through daily briefings of their plans and efforts to stop the spread of the virus. However, worldly hope is finite, temporary, fleeting and changeable. Worldly hope leaves us empty and in despair.

The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. – Psalm 33:17

There is a hope however that is rock solid and true. This hope is living, dynamic and renewable – tailored to meet the unique needs of everyone who is born again through Jesus Christ.

Living hope is hope for living – in this life and with the assurance of eternal life with Him. The Apostle Paul wrote about this Living Hope through Jesus.

… for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:11-13

Life on this earth will bring many up and down circumstances as the Apostle Paul describes. Through it all we learn to be content, trusting in the Lord to see us through.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

The Living Hope through Jesus is not a one-time ‘stimulus check’ – here today, and gone tomorrow. It is continually renewable meeting the precise needs of each day’s circumstances.

But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more; So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, – Psalm 71:14; 2 Corinthians 4:16, 17

It is hard to view this pandemic as a light and momentary affliction, but it is. Because He lives, we have Living Hope and can face each day and the days to come in His power and strength.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering…;

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer;

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Hebrews 10:23; Romans 12:12; 15:13