Lately, hope has seemed far away as we have seen illness, closings, goodbyes, separation, distancing, disruptions, death, uncertainty, and unknown. A lot of people were sent home from work unwillingly. Everyone everywhere is encouraging social distancing from other people. Our President and other health officials say to be at least six feet apart from everyone around and refrain from groups of ten or more. As humans created for community, this is extremely trying and draining. We desire interaction with people. As social media has increased in recent years, people would spend time on their phone on social media rather than interacting with the people in front of them. They chose virtual relationships over real relationships. But now, what people would not give for real relationships rather than the virtual relationships they are confined to because of a virus. Yet, in an isolated world, there is still hope for goodness to come.
We live in a sin cursed world. Since the day Adam and Eve ate of the fruit in the garden, sin and death have been a part of our world. As humans in this present day, we have never lived a day without the effects of sin. But when all hope seemed lost, Christ died for us.
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.
God worked with the nation of Israel for thousands of years. They were his chosen people. But after Jesus died and God gave a special revelation to the Apostle Paul, He opened up salvation from sin and death to all people who trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Prior to this, for Gentiles to know God, they had to go through the nation of Israel, but now, God is working with individuals rather than a nation.
“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:12-13
We used to be without hope, but now we have hope because of the blood of Jesus Christ.
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Psalm 43:5
Through illness, closings, goodbyes, separation, distancing, death uncertainty, and unknown, when all hope seems lost, we can cling to the hope found in Christ. Like Edward Mote wrote in 1834,
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”
Christ is my hope, and He is your hope.
“…Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
When we have our hope in Christ, we can share that hope with others.
In our virtual and real interactions with others, we can be a light of the hope we have in Christ. We can shop and bring groceries to our elderly friends and send text messages to friends. We can reach out to our neighbors to see how we can help. When we are shopping in the grocery stores, we can bring peace to the panic and calm to the chaos because we know God has a purpose and is holding us close. Continue to bring grace in your responses to the people around you. Continue to respond with wisdom amidst wandering in uncertainty.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
For in the midst of turmoil, ultimately, we are “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
