Sickness. Pain. Injustice. Crime. Sorrow. Loss. Death.
Those are just a few of the heartbreaking things we see everyday. Whether it’s our local headlines on TV or social media newsfeeds at our fingertips, we are constantly inundated with stories of despair. But that’s to be expected, right? Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, the world has been full of brokenness.
However, friend, we can celebrate even in these broken days because there is still hope. It’s impossible to find if you’re looking at the things of this world marred by sin. So together, we’ll look at insufficient sources of hope and the only real source of hope.
POOR PLACES TO PUT YOUR HOPE
Before we focus on the only source of true hope, let’s explore some repeatedly disappointing things that we put our hope in. As you read through this list, mentally check off the ones you often lean on:
- Health
- Spouse
- Children
- Abilities
- Career
- Church
- Friends
- Vacations
- Possessions
- Politicians
- Wealth
You put your hope in more than a few of those at times, don’t you? You’re not alone. While these things can be good and helpful, they’re absolutely incapable of giving you real, lasting hope. For example, your health can be diminished with one nasty virus. As great as your spouse may be, they will let you down at some point. And although money is a necessity, all that you’ve worked for and saved can be wiped out in one awful incident.
Writer Alisha Illian recently shared an Instagram post highlighting where real hope comes from:
THE ONLY SOURCE OF HOPE
So what can we put our hope in that won’t fail us? Where can it be placed so we are never disappointed? Surely you know the answer, friend. We can put our hope in God.
Psalm 42:5 says, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Certainly you’ve endured times, maybe even recently, where your soul was downcast just like the psalmist. Maybe you’ve relied too much on one of the items listed above, and you’ve been disappointed. But your soul doesn’t have to be so disturbed. When our hope is in our God and the redemption through our Savior Jesus Christ, our despair turns to praise!
When we have our eyes on Jesus instead of our wavering wealth, we know that God has already supplied our needs. (Philippians 4:19)
When we have our eyes on Jesus instead of our imperfect spouse, we know that God’s love for us is perfect and unchanging. (Romans 8: 35-39)
When we have our eyes on Jesus instead of our fragile health, we know that God is our strength even when our bodies are weak. (Psalm 73:26)
See how our entire perspective changes when we put our hope in Jesus? Maybe you need to look to him for the first time ever. If so, get more information here.
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