Category: hope

Once I was so overcome with sin I had no hope. Worldly-wise counselors gave many suggestions for help, but nothing they knew could solve my problem. But just at the right time, while I was powerless, Jesus rescued me. Now, no matter how strong the enemy seems, I remember the One who is more powerful and take hope to overcome.

Once I was so sick I did not think I would survive. Some around me were even less hopeful than I was. But through a way I would not have chosen, God healed my body and gave me four incredible years. Now, no matter how bad I feel, I remember God’s power and promises and gain hope for tomorrow.

Once there was a little baby born to a mom who was serving time for wrongdoing. He didn’t really have a place to go, but a chaplain in the prison system who often helped mothers in such situations called a family who had volunteered to serve. Now this little boy is being raised by his mom who is free and following her Master. And though John fell a couple of weeks ago and broke his leg, he is a happy toddler whose future is anything but hopeless. (You should see him walk with his cast 🙂 )

Last Sunday, in the Atlanta newspaper, there was a front page article about a man in his thirties who had gotten out of prison, gone to college, and completed a degree with great success. Though his crime was committed at age seventeen, his past still haunts him. Even though this bright fellow has done so much to overcome, no one will hire him. There was little hope in the article and a reader could understand how such a man could easily give up and go back to his old life. In the spiritual world, we know this is the devil’s desire for anyone who tries to walk a better path.

Susan and I understand a little about this guy’s dilemma. Terri has worked odd jobs for the year she has lived with us. She is very sharp and a hard worker. Her goal is to live by herself and raise her children. Two times she had well-paying jobs fall through because of the results of her background check. One employer did all she could to bypass the rules because Terri was such a good worker. But John’s mother has persevered. A couple of Wednesday nights ago, after humbly asking a group to pray for her, Terri received a phone call within the hour that gave her a job for the holiday season. Without faith, though, it is easy to think her situation is hopeless. But we believe one day someone will give Terri a chance that will lead to the type of job she needs to take care of her family. Until then, we remember that “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

“Remember that one time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations… Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:12-22

We sometimes get so caught up in this world we forget that this earth is not our home. Believers of old knew they were aliens in a land that was not their own. This is why a message of “hope” fills the pages of Scripture. Susan and I often attend a support group for people with multiple myeloma. It goes without saying that we all want there to be a cure for this deadly disease. I’m usually one of the youngest patients, but I have realized that, even if a cure is found tomorrow, all of us are eventually going to die. If a healthy person accuses me of being a pessimist, I should remind him that he won’t live on this earth forever either. Even for those diagnosed with a fatal disease, it is easy to be in denial about death.

If I can admit that one day I will die, or better yet, one day Jesus will return, my hope can be put in a much more secure place. This challenge is not just for me, but for anyone who believes in eternal life. If God’s Word is true, this life is just “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Our main existence is elsewhere. So where is your hope? If your mind is only on the things of this world, the Holy Spirit says, “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

It is interesting what Paul says leads to hope. I cannot explain all the reasons for suffering, but I can say that in the midst of a trial it is often easier to lift the eyes beyond this world. “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us…” (Rom 5:2-5) I will eventually be disappointed with temporal hope. But if “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness” I will not be disappointed, for my heart is set on what is eternal.

Next week, as we thank God for the incredible blessings He has showered upon us, may we look beyond the things we see with human eyes. May we see an incredible Father who has an amazing love for His children. May we see a loving Savior, seated next to the throne of God, waiting for the word to return for His Bride. May we see the Comforter who continually leads us in truth. And may we see a place prepared for all who have put their faith in Jesus. Even now we can give thanks for such a Kingdom and anticipate an indescribable Feast. “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19

Over the last two months the unwelcome protein count in my blood has steadily increased from 1.1 to 2.7. Today I go meet with doctors who will say there is no doubt the cancer is back and treatment must take place.

In Jerusalem, early one morning between the 4:15 Muslim call to prayer and the 4:30 loud Jewish prayers in the building above our room, I thought about something I had realized before: Cancer is much like sin. It creeps in. It takes over. It destroys. (The analogy breaks down when considering ‘the pleasures of cancer for a season’ 🙂 ) I can still make a case for health as I look in the mirror and as I continue to work every day, but soon I could be accused of being in denial. As much as I hate it, I must eventually do something. Denial of sin is much more common than denial of disease. Paul explains in his letter to the Romans that God gave the Law to make denial more difficult. “The Law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more…”

Thank God for grace! The grace that convicts us of sin and brings the godly sorrow that leads to repentance… and the grace that helps us go through the valley of the shadow of death without fearing evil. Before I even knew I had cancer five years ago, God said, “My grace is sufficient.” His promise was true then, will it not be true today?

I had a wrong thought as I pondered this sin/cancer comparison: ‘I wish cancer were as easy to get rid of as sin is.’ Grace invites the sinner to come to a Savior to receive forgiveness. Sin is erased without any work on our part, but an enormous price was paid for this blessing. Anything we go through will not compare to what Jesus endured to get rid of our sin. I’ve got to remember this to keep from complaining. This truth also contains a great encouragement: When we suffer, Jesus understands. The One who carried the Cross tells us to pick up our crosses, but we will not be alone. “Come to Me all who are weary and I will give you rest.” I am thankful for this promise.

Psalm 121 takes on new meaning when you see where David lived. The City of David was in a valley because that is where the water flowed. This valley is surrounded by the mountains of Jerusalem, which often held David’s ruthless enemies. When you are surrounded by danger and there seems to be no escape, look up, as David did, and remember the Creator is still in control.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:1-4

Thousands of people assembled at the Gwinnett Fairgrounds last weekend for the annual Relay For Life to benefit cancer research. I did not get to participate, but our dear friend, Suzette, who battled breast cancer last year (and is now cancer-free), told me about it. The first lap is reserved to honor cancer survivors and their caretakers. Suzette had a hard time describing the emotions she felt as the huge crowd applauded and cheered during this “victory march”. Perhaps this was a small picture of the verse: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

There’s an interesting passage in Ephesians that gives a glimpse of another “victory march”. In the days of old when a king conquered another city, he would lead a procession of prisoners back to his kingdom. As the captured enemy and the spoils of war were displayed, a powerful message was sent to all: “I am victorious! This was my enemy, but now he is my subject! Behold!” As Paul shares that “every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ”, he portrays Jesus as the true champion who, after defeating death, ascended on high, and marched in triumph as a mighty conqueror. “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” (Eph 4:7-8)

While the angels celebrated as Jesus took His place in Heaven, we take great hope that His “victory” is still in process. “For he must reign until he puts all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (I Cor 15:25-26) How amazing it is that He invites us to participate with Him!

“Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.”

Some have proposed that the Beatitudes speak to a progression in the Christian life. If this is the case, perhaps there is a path to purity.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy…”

Humility is the starting place with Jesus. Can the proud ever have a pure heart in God’s sight? Perhaps this is why Peter had to go through failure after he boasted of the things he would do for Jesus. What mourning comes when we see ourselves as we really are! But Jesus taught that such mourning would lead to blessing. It did for Peter. He was not only comforted, but he became meek. A transformed Peter called all disciples to walk in the meekness of Christ. He wrote, “Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

The pure in heart have learned to hunger and thirst for righteousness. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”, Jesus said. But who can attain righteousness? “There is no one righteous, not even one!” How we need mercy! “God, have mercy on me, a sinner!” “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “I am unrighteous, my heart is impure… have mercy on me!” “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

As is righteousness, a pure heart is found in only one place. Jesus alone is righteous, and He gives the gift of righteousness to all who put their faith in Him. Jesus alone has a pure heart, but He can make our hearts pure as we follow Him. And what a promise belongs to those that do.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8