Siblings, surely the days are evil. Rumors of wars seem to take on new dimension and significance as there are skirmishes popping up daily. It is absolutely easy to find ourselves riding on the waves of despair.
But
Our lives and Faith are anchored in Jesus, we do not lose hope. We find ourselves in Jesus. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat
“But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.” Jude 1:20-21 NLT
But … Jesus
Yes, the situation is pretty grim.
Yes, we may feel impotent
Yes, things are way outside our control
But Jesus can change all that, particularly our perspective.
I sometimes lose hope and even lose sight of what’s important, because my focus shifts from Jesus to stuff. None of this should be strange to us, for Jesus prepared us. Can we recall His Word in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Those weren’t accidental, nor were they restricted to those times. They were as much for then as now, for them as us.
And now, as then, Jesus offered God’s Spirit as the way to keep focused. They were promised God’s Spirit would come to be with them after Jesus had gone. We pray in the Spirit (as in, under the Spirit’s anointing, guidance and power) and Jesus takes us through. Like the disciples, we may feel that there’s cause to worry, but Our Messiah has offered us real Hope.
Our next step, having encouraged each other and prayed, is to keep our focus on Jesus. Can we? Let’s do it!
Lord we place our trust in You, despite what life says. Thanks for offering us another perspective, for securing our future regardless. May our focus remain on You and Your faithfulness always, as we seek Your face. Please forgive our doubts and fears and help us walk in Your grace and mercy. Pour into our lives anew, please Jesus. Amen