WHERE DO YOU FIND HOPE WHEN ALL HOPE SEEMS LOST?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“In His name the nations will put their hope.”
(Matthew 12:21)

MEDITATION:
Whenever we feel our nation is becoming more corrupt and immoral,
where can we turn to for finding peace and hope for a better way of life?

Should we look to our government to calm us and assure us that
everything is okay? Not a good choice since the decisions by the
government usually have a direct influence on the condition of
a nation.

Should we turn to friends and family? How can we find reassurance
from those with the best intentions, but are too far removed from to
have an influential impact on changing the direction of a nation.

In order to have confidence that a nation can be changed for the better,
we have to look for an authority higher than our friends and family,
and higher than the government of a nation. That leaves only one place
to turn, doesn’t it – the Lord Jesus.

He is the only one with omnipotence (all powerful), and
omniscience (all knowing). The Lord has the knowledge
and power to either change a nation for the better, or
comfort those who are in distress as a result of a nation
gone mad.

During the season of Advent on the church calendar,
Christians around the world light candles. The first
candle symbolizes hope. The prophet Isaiah said that
all nations will place their hope or trust in Christ,
God’s Chosen One.
    “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in
      whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will
      bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out,
      or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not
      break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In
      faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter
      or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In
      his teaching the nations will put their hope.”
      (Isaiah 42:1-4)

We place our hope in Him because He genuinely cares for us.
Jesus tasted death for everyone…
    But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the
    angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and
    honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace
    of God he might taste death for everyone.
    (Hebrews 2:9)

….so that we can taste His goodness.
    Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit,
    hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn
    babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may
    grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that
    the Lord is good.
    (1 Peter 2:1-3)

He left the splendor of heaven to bring us to glory.
    In bringing many sons and daughters to glory,
    it was fitting that God, for whom and through
    whom everything exists, should make the pioneer
    of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.
    (Hebrews 2:10)
He gave His own life in order to give us hope for eternal life.
We can turn to a Lord of this caliber and authority, to find
peace and hope.

ACTION:
Have you lost hope in the condition of your nation? Do
you feel that your vote in any election is worthless? Are
you disappointed with both candidates in an election?
It can be very disappointing and discouraging whenever
you have limited choices and you feel that neither one will
have a positive impact on the nation.

Look past those who will disappoint you, to the One who will
never disappoint. Don’t increase your frustrations by focusing
on human beings. Instead, redirect your attention to the One
who can make a difference in your life, regardless of which
direction the nation is headed.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that You are ultimately
the One in charge. If the condition of my nation is frustrating
and disappointing, I know that You can provide me with what
I need to cope. Help me to never forget that You are in control
regardless of how bad things appear. You are the One who can
change the course of a nation for the better. More importantly,
You can change me so that I can enjoy this life no matter how
gloomy everything is around me.”

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