Restoring And Sharing Our Source Of “HOPE”

By Pastor Bob Morgan

(To get the most out of this devotional I encourage you to read any Scriptures referenced. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you directly through His Word.)

A Teachable Moment

It’s been a while since I posted anything and I want to share an opportunity God recently granted me. Not too long ago I was driving one of my grandsons to school — these are challenging times with COVID-19 including challenging school schedules. He was sitting very quietly in the front seat when out of the blue he asked me, “Grandpa, with everything that’s going on could the end of the world be coming?” He’s a quiet, unassuming 10th grader, yet he was sensing that something’s just not right with the world.

Paul encouraged Timothy to share the Word and be ready at all times to share with others — graciously (c.f.,1 Tim). Peter encourages us to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts and to be ready to share the source of our hope with others — again, graciously (c.f., 1 Pet 3:15).

Having been a Pastor-Teacher for 25+ years and having taught in both a Christian high school and Bible college, I offered a quick prayer and then answered by sharing my source of hope. I shared that, yes, there are many things happening that the Bible (God’s Word) tells us will happen as the day of Jesus’ return approaches — but that was exactly the point; Jesus was returning someday, maybe soon — for those He finds trusting Him — for us. That no matter how bad things might get, God was in control. That no matter what might happen to any of us, even death, if we remain faithful to Him, He will take us to Heaven to live with Him — forever. That seemed to satisfy him and he smiled. We then prayed.

A simple answer based on solid theology, without the need to give him a full dissertation on eschatology (the study of end times). An age-appropriate answer that met my grandson’s concerns and brought him — hope.

These are fearful times and hope seems to be in short supply — a genuine hope based upon Christ: His sovereign perfections, His sovereign promises and His sovereign providence’s. Ironically, there’s no shortage of false hope: hope in political parties, social movements, science, etc. But God’s Word warns against these false sources of hope. It warns us against placing our hope in men, in political leaders, or in “science falsely so called” (c.f., 1 Tim 6:20).

Rather, genuine hope brings us to Christ:

• His sacrifice for us on the Cross;
• His death for the atonement of our sins,;
• His resurrection as a demonstration of His power over death and the promise of our own,
• His ascension to the Father as a precursor of our own eternal life in Heaven;
• And, the promise of His returning for His own, and to judge both the righteous and the unrighteous, the living and the dead.

This is also what we’re encouraged to share with others — our hope! By the way, this is what is called, “the Gospel” (the Good News). But do we have any hope of our own, hope in the Lord, to share with others?

Becoming More Christ-Dependent

As I get older and my mental faculties and physical abilities begin to deteriorate, I find myself having to be more and more dependent upon the Lord: His perfections (attributes & character), His promises (His Word) and His providence’s (guiding, providing and protecting). I also have a growing desire to be “home” with Him. And, when asked, I simply want to share the hope that is within me. It doesn’t mean I don’t face challenges, disappointments or even heartbreak, but it does mean I turn more and more to the “lover of my soul.”

Genuine “HOPE”

But what does that hope look like? Maybe this simple acrostic will help, “HOPE:”

“H” = Holiness. Holiness is God’s overriding perfection and is mentioned more often than any other of His attributes in Scripture. Those of us who genuinely love Him desire to please Him. If we aren’t attempting to live genuinely, righteous lives with a pure heart (not selfishness nor self-righteousness), then it might be a good time to question our genuine commitment to Christ and very possibly — our salvation. We may even have cultivated a false hope.

The Jesus of Scripture is our ultimate model.

“O” = Obedience. Holiness demonstrates itself in obedience; obedience to God’s Word, God’s Will and God’s Ways (with His heart and with His timing). Again, without a commitment to obedience, not only are we missing out on His blessings, we may be bringing God’s correction to our lives. Obedience has a cost, but the long-term cost of disobedience is far greater. And genuine obedience comes from a desire to please an audience of One, the One Who paid the ultimate cost for us. It comes from a desire that leads to a willing sense of duty when required, submitting our lives to please the Master.

The Jesus of Scripture is our ultimate model.

“P” = Peace. When Scripture speaks of peace, it speaks of “peace with God, and the peace of God.” Peace with God is knowing He has forgiven us of our sins — no mater how vile. It’s a peace that helps restore a genuine, inner joy, and how we find our ultimate hope. The peace of God is a peace found in trusting in His sovereign wisdom, power and goodness, no matter what people or circumstances He allows into our lives — for His glory and our highest good. Together, they are a peace “that passes all understanding” (Phil 4:7), a peace we’re hard-pressed to explain, but a peace that allows us to rest in Him.

True peace only comes as we grow in holiness through obedience. The Jesus of Scripture is our ultimate model.

“E” = Encouragement and Empowerment. As we grow in holiness, obedience and the Lord’s peace, the Holy Spirit empowers us and encourages us. And the more He empowers and encourages us, the more holiness, obedience and peace is displayed in our lives. And then, He empowers us to be a genuine encouragement to others — to those who need “HOPE” in their own lives, to point others to the source of our own encouragement and empowerment, our own source of — hope.

The Jesus of Scripture is our ultimate model — starting to sense a pattern?

Food For Thought

• Can God use us? Are we a genuine source of “HOPE,” to others? Or, are we in need of our own source of “HOPE?”Are we in such need ourselves that we don’t have anything to offer others? That’s OK, we all get there at times. But maybe we suffer from “empty sponge syndrome” constantly in need of encouragement from others. Is it something God is taking us through or is our “neediness” a perpetual mind-set? Maybe we’re trapped in the “gall of bitterness” while “defiling” others (c.f., Acts 8:23; Heb 12:15), leading to “wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice (c.f., Eph 4:31). Bottom line, would others consider us an encourager — or a discourager? When we do encourage, what are we encouraging others to? Does it empower holiness, obedience, and God’s peace — or is it to the flesh and carnality; to sinful attitudes, choices and behaviors? Are there attitudes, choices and behaviors of our own we need to confess and repent from? Is there forgiveness we need to grant, or to seek from God — and others?

• Are we available to instill “HOPE” in others? Do we pray for, look for, and act on the opportunities God grants us? Maybe God desires to use us in the most simple but significant way. If we’re looking for the sky to part or a public forum, than we may be missing wonderful opportunities and providential “God moments.”

• Does our walk match our talk? Does our life-style really reflect what we say we believe? Remember, we can tell others what we think, but we will live what we believe. And if what we’re sharing and demonstrating isn’t working in and impacting our own lives — then don’t export it.

Conclusion

Getting older doesn’t make life easier, quite the contrary, but it has a way of sorting out what’s really important. I still face trials, testings and temptations, and I still grieve over many things — but God Himself, His Word and His providence’s have become ever so much more precious. And, I might no longer have a “public” ministry, but God occasionally grants me a precious, teachable moment — like that with my awesome grandson, or to one of our new neighbors.

These days I want to be all about “HOPE” — my own and attempting to encourage and empower others. Like you, I’m still learning to listen for, recognize and obey — the Shepherd’s Voice.

With a pastor’s heart — Pastor Bob