Hope in an Uncertain World   

There is a story of a traveler who got lost in a jungle. Having lost his coordinates, he strayed into the deep jungle where there were dangerous animals and reptiles of all sorts. As he kept walking, suddenly he was confronted by a lion which chased him. Running for his life, he saw a tree with green leaves and climbed up the tree clutching to the ivy that wrapped around the tree. The small tree was leaning over a pond. To his surprise he heard a cracking sound and suddenly realized that the tree has already died and what he thought as the leaves of the tree were that of the ivy that had climbed on to this now-withered tree. If the tree were to fall, he thought he would jump into the pool below and swim across to escape. But suddenly he noticed a movement in the water and to his horror, he saw a large crocodile right below. If he were to climb down, the lion would have him; if he stayed longer, the tree would fall, and the croc would have him. What do you think the man did to escape? The story says nothing! On the other hand, it portrayed the man as enjoying a honeycomb, totally unconcerned about what was so obvious!

Let us hope this is not a real story. But some of us may be living our real lives like this man, oblivious to the dangerous that lurk around us, yet enjoying the little pleasures of life!

An uncertain world

No one disagrees about the uncertainties of the world around us. The possibility of a third world war is more certain than ever before. The dynamics of geo-politics are rapidly changing. Uncontrolled migration has brought to western democracies a social scenario which is difficult to solve and irreversible. The celebrated multicultural experiment is miserably falling apart in north America and Europe. Religious fundamentalism has been on the rise throughout the world. New-age atheism, wokeism, gender euphoria, the likes of which are eroding the social values which we have held close to our hearts for centuries. Nothing seems to hold together the social fabric. Age-old institutions seem to have lost their plot. Men in authority, both political and religious are confounded by the rise of evil beyond their control. Added to these are our own personal struggles and challenges: sicknesses, failed marriages, unfulfilled ambitions, and the like. If one wants to sum it all up into one word, that would be the word ‘hopelessness.’

The pressing question now is, where do we find hope? Is there light at the other end of the tunnel?

Hope, an anchor for the soul.

“Hope is like an anchor for the soul,” says the Holy Bible. When smooth sailing is considered dangerous, ships stay safe with their anchors firmly grounded. Anchoring not only protects that ship, but the vessels nearby as well. We too need to anchor our lives amidst the uncertainties of life.

Hope, like an anchor, is unseen. An anchor is not on display as it is below the surface. What people see is the security an anchor affords. Similarly, with hope, we remain balanced and steady, since we have something that keeps us safe. When we are anchored well, the torrents of life cannot wipe us away. That is why we need Hope.

Hope comes to us because we have trusted in God who gives us the power to overcome the perils of life. Hope comes to us because we are willing to do what God is telling us to do. It is handing over the control of our lives to God who alone can give us a purpose in life. And God is still waiting for you and me to trust him to shape our lives, with a ‘hope that doesn’t disappoint.’

Answered Prayers

Many people now live with no faith or hope. They fail to remember the God who brought them to this world is also interested in their everyday life. Like a Father, God wants to provide and protect us, only if we care to come to him and trust him with your life’s choices. We are free to choose the way we want to live. Even faith is a choice. As free beings God will never coerce anyone to do his will. That is why he is waiting for us to trust him. And when we pray, we are demonstrating our faith and trust in Him.

As a family, we have had life-threatening sicknesses, accidents, financial troubles, and a host of other problems. But the grace of God enabled us to overcome it all through prayer, faith, and hope. I think anyone can do so by trusting in God through Jesus.

Real Hope and Eternity

Real hope is tied to our eternal destiny too. Not all our problems are solved by faith in this world. Some do not receive it all here and now. That is why we trust in the promises God made to his people about the glorious future that will be ushered in, when Jesus returns to this earth as its righteous ruler one day. Things may get from worse to sickening conditions at times, but God is still working behind the shadows. And in his own time, He will bring good out of bad. And that is the kind of hope which God gives.

Hope has this capacity to give us courage to face the perils of life and to be sure of our eternal destiny. It tells us that each of us is unique, and we need not compare our lives with another. God does not make duplicates. And we are God’s handiwork.

While a perfect future is yet to come, God demonstrates his love with those who trust him even now. He can lift us out of our perils as a taste of more good things to come. He restores our fortunes and satisfies our souls.

God’s grace is not always seen by insulating us from trouble, difficulties, or sicknesses. Sometimes God blesses us through them as Annie Johnston Flint has demonstrated through her life.

Annie Johnston Flint suffered a lot in her life. It was unimaginable pain and trouble all her life, but she affirms the role of faith through her poem “He giveth more grace.”

 “When we reach the end of hoarded resources, our Fathers’ giving has only begun…”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzhKGPireAA) 

Hope is not just good for this world, but it is good for the world yet to come. Sometimes God may not let us have the things we hope for, in this world. But there is waiting a greater reward for such when Jesus returns to this world to establish the Kingdom of God.

If you want to find out more, please speak to Rev. John on 0406765443 or write to Rev. John:  smiv@smiv.org