With God There Is Hope
Every morning and evening we bear witness to patterns in creation that remind us that not only is God sovereign, but that the light of hope continues to shine with Him.
At night when the sun no longer shines and darkness covers the land, there are lights in the sky that stand out. In those brief moments, the brightness of the stars are contrasted with a dark sky. And as morning approaches, an even greater light begins to emerge, as darkness fades and the strength of a warm sun overpowers. These patterns are not only aspects of the beauty of God’s creation but reminders of One who holds it all together (Col 1:17; Heb. 1:3).
The God of this earth is the God of all and there is nothing out of the realm of His sovereignty. He is not surprised or taken back by the pain or problems of humanity. From the very beginning of Scripture, we learn that God is the Creator of everything and that what He makes is good! In fact, humans are made in His image and all of creation points to Him as the ultimate artist. Unfortunately, mankind rebelled and the darkness of death entered in. But even in the darkness of conflict, pain and death, we read that God will have the last word (Gen 3:15) because with God, there is always hope.
As people lived and then died, there was one who “was not” (Gen 5:24). In contrast to the wickedness of man, there was one who “found favor” (Gen 6:8). God shows us that with Him, the patterns of brokenness halt. The light of hope with God is a thread throughout Scripture that is never extinguished. God promised that in Abram, “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen 12:3) and in the outworking of God’s plan, a light was coming (Is 9:2; Matt 4:15-16; Jn 1:9) to bring this blessing. This light was and is Jesus the Messiah who brought blessing to the world through his life, death and resurrection. Jesus the Messiah is the light and hope for all the world. He redeems, reconciles and restores.
Hope is not some vague wishful thinking but a real living hope in and through Jesus Christ. When the darkness of sin seems overwhelming, the hope of God on the horizon is more powerful. We can trust Him. “Every word of God proves true” (Pr 30:5). He is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,” (Ex 34:6). He forgives, heals, redeems, crowns and satisfies (Ps 103:3-5).
God’s people are people of hope. The Scriptures encourage us with hope (Rom 15:4) and remind us that hope comes from the Lord (Ps 62:5). No matter how dark your world may feel, remember that in the darkness of night, a light shined brightly in a little Bethlehem stable. The light of the world took on flesh and gave hope to a world desperately in need. The world is still in need and the only hope that won’t fade continues to be Jesus Christ. He “is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb 13:8). “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 Jn 5:12). He is the hope of the world. He has come and will indeed come again. May we fix our gaze up on Him, because with God there is always hope.
PAGE Ministry
(Publications Assisting Global Evangelism)