Pastors Corner: Hope in our world today

Easter is a time where we often reflect about the resurrection of Jesus and the hope it carries for those who believe in Him. It comes also in a season where there is hope of things blooming and growing, giving us hope for a new season and the promise of things to come. It is just a wonderful time of the year, in which hope comes into our lives is a way that it changes us and how we view others and the world around us.

In the recent past, with the ever-changing world around us, it would be so easy to get caught up in the negativity of the happenings and fall into despair and hopelessness. It is time to challenge ourselves into stepping back and consider the things that really matter, the things that bring meaning and hope to our lives. The concept and application of hope began to fascinate me, and in sharing it with you, it is my prayer that you too can find renewed hope, joy, peace and love going forward. In other words, it is my prayer that our perspective changes, because of God’s truths.

First, we need to know that the dictionary and scriptural meaning of hope are not the same. The standard dictionary definition is one that is generally accepted by most, and deals with the feeling that something desired may happen. Overall, not bad and is fine. We all need this kind of hope. But as we grow and mature and seek a deeper level of meaning, we turn to the scriptural meaning of hope. This expands our understanding in our lives.

We can look to the Bible and see the meaning of the original word. There are around 151 references to Hope in the Bible, so it must be important. In Psalms 33:22, it uses the Hebrew word “Yacheal” (meaning trust) when it talks about the relationship and interactions we have with God. In Psalms 130:7 it refers to hope as a redemptive process. In Psalms 16:9, it speaks to being able to rest in hope. No doubt our God knew dealing with us, we would be in repeated need of redemption, rest and hope. There are a number of references and meanings, but this will give you a flavor of some of the meaningful things we can apply to our lives.

As we continue to look at hope in the scripture, it is tied many times to what happens as we hope and trust in God. Our perspective in life and the world around us begins to change. As we really trust in Him, it helps us see things in a different perspective of how God works in the hearts and lives of people. Without out this, there is truly despair or in our more modern terms, depression. There could also be an element of anger in despair. Not having hope or even trusting in Him is one real cause of anger and depression. As we move from despair into trusting and then into the Hope of God, we are generally happier and satisfied. We even experience joy, peace and love. This may not make any sense as one would look at circumstances. We have all met people who are such astounding beings, who in spite of their lives and tough circumstances have hope and joy. To be like Corrie Ten Boom, who thrived even in the concentration camps, would be a great goal for us all. She remained sweet and hopeful, trusting fully in God. She was an incredible woman.

The Easter Story with the resurrection of Christ, gives us such a phenomenal Hope, of eternal life. What would be do without that hope, certainly there is more to our lives than what happens to us here on earth. Being reunited with loved ones, and spending our time in the presence of a great and Almighty God, are just a couple of things that will be outcomes of this hope and trust. It is difficult to imagine the sacrifice of Christ and what He did for us so we could spend eternity with us, but the fact is that He did it for you. He continues to reach out with this gift to each of us.

A pastor from Texas recently wrote the following:

“We live in a world where so many of us are searching for Hope, Peace and Love. Yet, it seems like everywhere we turn, we encounter despair, strife and rejection. But there is good news! There is Hope! There is the Love of Jesus readily available for everyone! God loves each of us and His love is the only thread powerful enough to transcend our difference and unite us together in Him, Our Hope.”

At this Easter season, be filled with Hope, Peace, Joy and Satisfaction as we Trust in God.

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Pastor George Sturm

Associate Pastor Havre Assembly of God