“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” – Psalm 42:11
All around the world, addiction, hate, greed, deception, and pride are destroying people’s lives.
There’s a rise in poverty, violence, immorality, and an anti-God mentality.
It’s clear to see…our fallen world is completely falling apart.
Is there any hope in the midst of all this despair?
Or is destruction and discouragement all we’re left with?
Who Are You Placing Your Hope In?
Hope: “A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.”
As Christians, we have someone to place our hope in.
Someone who has the power and ability to change the world and the circumstances we’re going through.
No, it’s not Wonder Woman or Superman.
It’s not our government or even ourselves…
It’s the Alpha and the Omega; the Beginning and the End—Almighty God!
Remember, God has a plan and purpose for everything you’re going through. (Jeremiah 29:11)
He can turn things completely around and work all things together for good. (Romans 8:28)
God Can Change Things
“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.” – Warren W. Wiersbe
From personal experience, I can tell you…
If you place your hope in anything or anyone besides Jesus Christ you will be let down miserably.
Why?
Because only Jesus has a perfect track record of faithfulness.
He alone has the power and ability to answer your prayers.
And promises to give you grace, strength, and perfect peace while enduring the trials you’re going through.
Life may never be perfect this side of heaven, but that doesn’t mean it has to be hopeless.
There is always hope because Jesus can:
- heal the sick
- break chains of bondage
- reconcile broken relationships
- restore broken dreams
- heal broken hearts
- open eyes that are blind
- set captives free
- give us the assurance of heaven
- and everything in between
Who Are You Listening To?
Listen: “To take notice of and act on what someone says; respond to advice or a request.”
Did you know the enemy of your soul speaks to you?
And, shoots fiery darts at you to try and get you to sin against God?
It’s true!
He wants you bummed out, stressed out, depressed, and paralyzed with fear.
Just like he deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden, he wants nothing more than to also deceive you.
He wants you to focus on your problems instead of God’s promises by believing his lies instead of God’s truth. (John 8:44)
“If Satan can get you to believe a lie, then he can begin to work in your life to lead you into sin. This is why he attacks the mind, and this is why we must protect our minds from the attacks of the wicked one.” – Warren Wiersbe
It’s once been said, “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”
You need to stop giving the enemy victory in your life.
Now more than ever before you need to hide God’s Word in your heart so you don’t sin against Him. (Psalm 119:11)
Let God’s Voice Break Through
There are many voices out there trying to get your attention and tell you what to do.
Let God’s voice speak to you the loudest.
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32
The best way to counteract lies is with God’s infallible truth the Bible.
God’s Word is more than some ordinary book—it’s alive!
Read it, memorize it, believe it, and apply it.
God will speak to you individually and personally and will give you clarity no matter what you’re going through.
Do you know how banks teach their employees to spot a counterfeit $100 bill?
They make them intensely study the real thing!
So if you want to stay in the will of God, then you need to know the Word of God.
Know God’s Word so well that when satan whispers his lies into your ear, you can reject them not believe them.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” – Phil. 4:8
When bad thoughts and lies come you can also:
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to take those thoughts captive
- Quote scripture out loud
- Have someone pray for you
- Say, “I rebuke you satan, in Jesus name!”
- Meditate on God and His goodness
- Listen to worship music
- Count your blessings
Who Are You Trusting In?
Trust: “A firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.”
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will trust the name of the Lord our God.” – Psalm 20:7
Sure, billionaires have their money.
Scientists have their knowledge.
And scholars have their wisdom.
But if they don’t have a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ…
At the end of the day, they have NOTHING!
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” – Mark 8:36-37
You have to remember; no one is perfect except God.
Romans 3:23 says, “All sin and fall short of His glory.”
So if you’re trusting in anything or anyone other than God, it’s inevitable you’ll be let down.
God Loves You Unconditionally
He sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross in your place.
Do you think after all of that, He would stop caring about you?
Would a shepherd ever stop caring about His sheep?
The answer clearly is, “No.”
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’” – Luke 15:4-6
You are so valuable to God that He will show Himself as mighty on your behalf.
Trust Him to.
Don’t get so overwhelmed with the cares and concerns of this world that you lose sight of just how amazing your God truly is.
You’ll either end up carrying the entire weight of the world on your shoulders.
Or, you can cast all of those cares and concerns down at Jesus’ feet. (1 Peter 5:7)
Key Takeaway
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ” – Galatians 6:9
As followers of Jesus Christ, let’s magnify the Lord, not our problems.
We are living in the last hour of the last days.
The signs of the times are showing the evidence that Jesus Christ is coming back for us soon!
So no matter what you’re going through, now is not the time to throw in the towel.
Now is not the time is quit.
God can and will do the impossible in and through your life.
He alone has ears to hear our prayers, grace to forgive our sins, and the power needed to restore our land.
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Eph. 6:11)
Be proactive in your walk with the Lord and share the everlasting hope you have in Him with others.
Stand in the gap for your family, friends, neighbors, country and this fallen world through intercessory prayer.
Have a devotional life by reading God’s Word every single day.
Listen to the voice of God rather than the lies of the devil.
And, place your hope in God no matter how hopeless it may seem.
He loves you more than you’ll ever be able to comprehend.
Sincere Thanks . I Feel like Going On. Your words are a blessing and I am so happy I will visit a church here in Durham that is committed to God and the community. Please keep me in your prayers. The best is yet to come.
Awww, thank you so much Rosemary! Amen and Amen! I am so blessed that God has encouraged you in this blog post. =] I too, at times, am so tired and weary…but we have to keep pressing on. We have to never look back. Remember, no matter how bad it gets this side of heaven, the best truly is yet to come. One day we will be in heaven with Jesus for all eternity and never ever have a bad day again! That’s the hope we have in Christ and born-again Christians. =] I’ll be praying for you. May God bless you and protect you and give you the strength you need to finish well for Him. Isaiah 40:31 for you!
<3 Amanda
Sincere Thanks . I Feel like Going On. Your words are a blessing and I am so happy I will visit a church here in Durham that is committed to God and the community. Please keep me in your prayers. The best is yet to come.
Awww, thank you so much Rosemary! Amen and Amen! I am so blessed that God has encouraged you in this blog post. =] I too, at times, am so tired and weary…but we have to keep pressing on. We have to never look back. Remember, no matter how bad it gets this side of heaven, the best truly is yet to come. One day we will be in heaven with Jesus for all eternity and never ever have a bad day again! That’s the hope we have in Christ and born-again Christians. =] I’ll be praying for you. May God bless you and protect you and give you the strength you need to finish well for Him. Isaiah 40:31 for you!
<3 Amanda
It’s so true…this world is so wicked and it’s so sad to see all the destruction and violence going in. Pray without ceasing!
I completely agree, Mina. Thank you so much for your comment. =] It makes me so sad too and angry even at all the wickedness in the world. =[ But yes, prayer is key here! We must stand in the gap and pray without ceasing for God to intervene and bring about change. Let’s continue to shine our lights in the darkness, and share the Gospel with those unsaved. God bless you! John 16:33 for you!
<3 Amanda
It’s so true…this world is so wicked and it’s so sad to see all the destruction and violence going in. Pray without ceasing!
I completely agree, Mina. Thank you so much for your comment. =] It makes me so sad too and angry even at all the wickedness in the world. =[ But yes, prayer is key here! We must stand in the gap and pray without ceasing for God to intervene and bring about change. Let’s continue to shine our lights in the darkness, and share the Gospel with those unsaved. God bless you! John 16:33 for you!
<3 Amanda