Navigating Uncertain Times with the “Mystery” of Divine Hope

We call it the “Great Recession”…the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Nevertheless, economists agree it pales in comparison to the catastrophic financial failure of 1929. But if you’re out of work, out of money and out of hope…it’s a present-day personal disaster for you! As Christians, we look to God for hope and for help. That doesn’t mean we deny reality. It means we look to a greater reality…the Realm of Hope in which God is in charge, not external circumstances! Yet there is a “Mystery” to Divine Hope…a dichotomy of truths that, when properly understood, can help you Navigate Uncertain Times.

1. Hope Shows Up When All Hope Is Gone! Sounds crazy, doesn't it? The kind of hope I’m talking about isn’t just wishful thinking. It comes from a divine encounter with the Living God! It’s what Abraham experienced when, against all natural hope, he chose to believe (to hope in) what God said rather than what his natural body told him (Rom. 4:18-22). That’s called Faith!

2. Hope Propels You Into Your Unseen Future …But It Also Anchors Your Soul. In a genuine encounter with God, hope is created when He reveals the wonderful plans He has in store for you (Jer. 29:11-13). Yet at the same time, He anchors your soul in the reality of your eternal salvation (Heb. 6:18-20). The anchor of hope keeps you from “drifting” if the plans He has for you don’t materialize as soon as you want or in the way you thought they would.

3. Hope Assures That Trouble Will NOT Last Forever…Yet Hope Can’t Be Produced Without Trouble! What a dichotomy, but it’s true! According to scripture, the very thing you hate (trouble) produces the very thing you need (hope). This Biblical truth is actually a divine a process: Tribulation⇒Perseverance⇒Proven Character⇒Hope⇒A Promise Received! (Rom. 5:3-5)

4. Hope Doesn’t Always Give You What You Want…But God Gives You What Is Best! News Flash…“God knows what’s best for you!” Even Abraham didn’t get what he wanted (Gen. 17:18-19). Set your hopes on the end result of God’s plans for you rather than on every little step along the way. Whatever God gives you is better than what you wanted in the first place.

So there it is…the “Mystery” of Hope. With this you can navigate uncertain times with confidence rather than confusion. But where do you start? Here are some suggestions:

1. Hang out with people who are alive with Faith and Hope (Eccles. 9:4). Faith and Hope are Contagious! Stay away from people who are pessimistic and negative.

2. Entwine (weave) yourself into God(Isaiah 40:31). The word “wait” in this passage means to bind or twist together like the strands of a rope. This happens as you read scripture, meditate on Him and hear God’s word preached in church.

3. Get a clear word from God! There’s nothing that settles your fears like knowing God has spoken into your situation (Acts 27:14-25). God speaks in many ways…through scripture, a sermon, godly counsel or a prophetic word from a proven source.

4. Practice living independent of external circumstances. This was Paul’s secret (Philip. 4:11-13). I’ve referred to this many times before…and I probably will again and again!

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