MY JOY AND HOPE

IN TROUBLED TIMES

Do you need encouragement today, my friends?  Are the struggles of each day bringing tears of discouragement?  Your heart is heavy with the burdens you bear.  You may be suffering in your body right now.  You may be grieved over a wayward son or daughter or other family member.  Whatever the need God’s Word brings encouragement and hope.

“Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” I Peter 1:3-5.

Peter’s words offer joy and hope in your time of trouble.  And we see here that he bases that hope in what God has done for us through our Wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We live day by day with the expectation of eternal life.  And that expectation is not only for the future, eternal life begins when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.  God will help us to stand strong in our faith through whatever difficulties we face.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”

 I Peter 1:6-7.

Peter mentions trials and suffering several times in his letter (1:6, 7; 3:13-17; 4:12-19; 5:9).  All of us will face trials and suffering in this life.  But think of the joy ahead, and I think of the old hymn, “It Will be Worth It All When We See Jesus.”

“Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear; we’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair; but Christ will soon appear, to catch His bride away, all tears forever over, in God’s eternal day.

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus; life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ; one glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase, so bravely run the race til we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark, with not a ray of light; we’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight; but there is one in heav’n who knows our deepest care, let Jesus solve your problem, just go to Him in pray’r.

Life’s day will soon be o’er, all storms forever past; we’ll cross the great divide to glory safe at last’ we’ll share the joys of heav’n, a harp, a home, a crown; the tempter will be banished, we’ll lay our burden down.”

Esther Kerr Rustoi

Yes, we will lay our burdens down forever, as we look upon His Wonderful face, and know that it was worth it all!

These trials that we face here on our journey “home” are part of the refining process that burns away impurities and prepares us for the day we meet Christ.  As gold is heated, impurities float to the top and can be skimmed off.  These trials we face refine and strengthen our faith.  So how do we respond to these storms and trials that come into our lives? 

First of all we respond with confidence that God knows the pain we are going through and He understands, and has great compassion for you.  And during these times He always provides His love and strength.

Secondly, we respond with perseverance.  We must “hang in there” when facing grief, sorrow and pain.  Yes, we will grieve but we must not give in to bitterness and despair.

And finally, we respond with courage, because Jesus is our brother and Savior and He tells us not to be afraid and that He will never leave us.   He who suffered for us will not abandon us.  He will carry us through everything we have to go through.

And then when we gather with Him on that great day, and our faith has remained strong through these many trials, we will receive much praise and honor, and especially when we see Jesus Christ revealed to the world and we see Him crowned King of kings and Lord of lords!  Praise the Lord!

I pray that you will be encouraged with these words of hope.  We live in a troubled world, but Jesus said:

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33.

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon