Weekly Devotional- Hope
“Why Kids Kill.”
That was the news headline I read as I jogged around the gym track. Instantly I was filled with shock, surprise, and sadness.
What kind of world are we living in? You know something is not right when the nightly news headline is, “Why Kids Kill.”
Even though I couldn’t hear what the reporters were saying, I pieced together that a young baseball player from Australia had been killed, presumably by kids . Later, I read the whole story online.
Australian born Christopher Lane came to America to pursue his baseball passion. He had received a baseball scholarship at the East Central University in Oklahoma.
Christopher was visiting his girlfriend in Duncan, Oklahoma, when he decided to go on a jog. He passed by a house that had three bored boys inside. One of the boys said, “There’s our target.”
The three boys took of in their car and shot Christopher in the back. Christopher stumbled, collapsed, and and died shortly thereafter.
When the boys were caught and asked why they would do such a thing, they said that they were bored and killed Christopher for, “the fun of it.”
For the fun of it.
When Jesus talked about the End Times, he said, “Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12) I can’t think of many more lawless acts than shooting someone just because you were bored and wanted to see someone die.
Sadly, this is just one of the many instances of recent shootings: the shooting at the theatre in Aurora, the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the shooting at the Boston Marathon. The list goes on and on.
The love of so many has grown cold. Our nation seems to be tumbling rapidly in deeper and deeper depravity.
Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? Is there any hope?
The answer is “Yes” to both of the questions.
Today I want to talk about the second aspect of real Christianity, HOPE.
Here are three reasons why we should have hope:
- Jesus is still in control
- Hardships produce character
- This is not our home
The first reason why we should have hope is because Jesus is still on the throne. One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” He was God in eternity past, He is God today, and He will be God for eternity. Though people change and sway, our God is the unchanging Rock.
The Psalmist said, “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed...He who sits in the heavens shall laugh...” (Psalm 2:1-2a, 4)
God isn’t worried when things in this world seem to go wrong! He has all the power. The only reason man has any power is because God gave it to him. (John 19:11)
We know that God brings rulers up and brings rulers down. In Daniel 4:32b it is said that, “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.”
We can still have hope because Jesus hasn’t lost control of anything. When everything seems to fall apart in this world, we can have peace that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and the kingdom of Heaven.
Secondly, we can know that hardships produce character, and character produces hope. Paul says in Romans 5:3-5, “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Exult means to show or feel elation or jubilation. So, Paul is saying that when we experience hardships, we should rejoice! Why? Because those hardships make us stronger and bring us hope and hope does not disappoint.
We can also live with the hope that when hardships happen, God will work all things out for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Lastly, as Christians, we can have the hope that this is not our home. This is not where we belong. Our lives here are just a vapor, a blink of an eye. James says, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14)
We know that we are going to a place where, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain...” (Revelation 21:4)
One day Jesus will come back and bring us home. Until then, we must cling on to the hope and know that the sorrows of this life will last a moment, but joy will come in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
As I conclude, I want to encourage you that there is hope even is this world of darkness. That hope is found in Jesus Christ alone. So next time when you hear of shootings, bombings, unrest in the nations, remember to still have hope because God is still in control, He can work it out for good, and He is coming back soon to take us to our real home.
5 comments:
Thanks so much, Janelle! I love the part about how the Bible specifically mentions these kinds of things happening in the end times. It's so easy for me to forget that we ARE living in the end times, and that today, we are closer to Jesus' return than anyone else has been in all of history! For me, that really changes my perspective on what I'm doing with my life. If Jesus came back tonight, what would he say to me about my heart?
Awesome post, Janelle! Very inspiring!!! Great comment, Hannah. Thanks for putting this on, both of you!!
that was great, Janelle. I don't know you, but i just want you to know that you wrote that awesomely!
<3 Bailey <3
Romans 8:28 = one of my favorite Bible verses. :)
Kind of off of what Hannah commented, it is good to think about the Lord coming back. Of course, He may not come back for a long, long time, but it is good to evaluate--if Christ came back right now, would what He sees in me please me?
And even more than being prepared for the Second Coming, I think it's important to be prepared for death. I know for me at least, it is easy to think of death as something that only happens to old people, sick people, and teenagers who make dangerous choices and aren't careful, something that couldn't possibly happen to me, tomorrow. I don't know why I think that, because it simply isn't true. The fact is, any of us could die at any moment. If I died tomorrow, would I have accomplished what I should have? If I died tomorrow, I would want my family and friends to have their last memories of me be happy--smiles, time spent with them, encouraging words--not arguments, selfishness, harsh words and unkind deeds unforgiven.
It is more important to follow Christ in the little ways and to build relationships than it is to get caught up planning for and preparing for what you think is going to happen. "You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall to this or that.'" (James 4:14-15) Of course, it IS necessary to plan for the future, but at the same time, I think we as Christians need to be careful to live in the present and let the future rest in God's hands.
That is SO true, Ellen!! It's so easy to forget that today could be my last day alive.... it definitely changes my perspective on the way I'm living my life! Thanks for sharing those verses, too!
I love what you said about it just being the little things that can sometimes make our life. So many people have really pulled me through tough situations, without even realizing it! Just being there for someone, hanging out with them because they matter, or just a hug (or a volleyball.....haha...long story :) when words aren't enough can make a WORLD of difference! I think it's less about looking for specific opportunities to reach out to people, and more about letting God consume your life, and work through you WHENEVER someone needs it. That seems to really be how hope is spread the most effectively in the body of Christ.
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