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,
what can we do to find 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 are usually the cause of the poor condition of a nation.

Should we turn to friends and family? How can we find reassurance
regarding our nation when those with the best intentions, are too far
removed from having an influential impact on the direction of a nation?

If we expect to have confidence that a nation can be changed for the
better, we need to look for an authority higher than our friends and
family, higher than the government of a nation, and even higher than
our church. That means we must go to the highest authority, which is
God the Father, and His Son, Jesus.

God is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscience (all knowing), and
ubiquitous (ever present). Not only is He everywhere, but He has
the knowledge and power to either change a nation for the better,
or provide comfort, direction and hope for those who are in distress
because a nation has 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 need to place their hope
and 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 should 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)

Jesus left the splendor of heaven so He could 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)

Jesus sacrificed His own life so that we could have hope for an
eternal life. We can turn to a Lord of this caliber and authority,
to find peace and hope. Why? Because He has shown how much
He loves us and is interested in our well-being.

ACTION:
The same God who can change the direction of a nation, can change
the direction of our own lives, as well. A nation can change from being
a ‘God fearing’ country, to one that ignores the commandments of the
Lord, and in some cases, wants to eliminate all references of His presence.

How can a nation that loves the Lord suddenly change to a country that
wants no part of God? It starts in the hearts of individuals, doesn’t it?
When those individuals are in positions of leadership and authority,
it affects the entire nation.

We may not be in a position that can influence the direction of a nation,
but each of us can choose the direction for our own lives. Our choices
can either take us in a direction away from the Lord, or we can become
a person who embraces a relationship with the Lord which opens the
door for us to have hope, even in the worst conditions or circumstances.

Questions to consider:
    – 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
       we have limited choices and we feel that neither one will
       have a positive impact on the nation.
    – Closer to home…how is your relationship with the Lord?
    – Would you say you are growing closer to God, or drifting in a
       direction that takes you away from Him, which means you are
       forfeiting the hope He gives to those who belong to Him?

When we feel helpless, we need to look past those who will disappoint us,
to the One who sincerely loves us and will never disappoint us. Instead of
focusing on human beings, we need to redirect our attention to the One
who can make a difference in our life, regardless of which direction the
nation is headed.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I’m very 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 with a dreadful and dreary situation. Help me
to never forget that You are in control regardless of how bad
things appear in my nation, or within myself. You are the One
who can change the course of a nation (and me) for the better.
I am thankful that You can change me so I will continue to
have hope and enjoy this life no matter how gloomy everything
is around me. Father, You are my anchor and my hope! Teach
me how to grow closer in my relationship with You, so I won’t
lose hope, and I will have a desire to obey Your guidelines and
follow Your plans for my life.”

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