The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name. (Zechariah 14:9 NIV)
A familiar saying that we have likely all heard is, “live in hope, or die in despair.” So, here’s my question…have you chosen to live in hope? What gives you hope or causes you to feel hopeless?
If our outlook on life is based on our circumstances, we will be prone to living in a lot of turbulence, instead of peace and hope. This verse reminds me of the unchangeable hope we have in the Lord Jesus Christ, which never increases or decreases based on the things happening around us.
A few years ago, I hit rock bottom, both emotionally and spiritually…at least it felt that way at the time. A large measure of the independence that I had worked so hard to obtain was no longer mine due to my declining physical condition. The more focused I became on my limitations, the more hopeless I felt. I even went through a season of pitying myself because of the physical things I was no longer able to do without assistance. I got angry for a while, but even then, God was there. He was faithful, and over time, He revealed Himself and His love to me. Today, much of my physical situation remains the same, but I’m different. I have hope! I realized (with God’s help) that my focus was misplaced. The more I gave attention to what I didn’t have, the more I wasn’t able to see all that I do have. My physical body is weaker than some, but because of Jesus Christ, I live in hope for this present age and for all of eternity, and that makes me strong.
This is my story of realizing the true reason for my lasting hope. What’s yours? The extraordinary thing is that while our life stories and experiences will differ from one another’s, our reason for hope is the same. This hope is available to everyone … everywhere! There will come a day when Phiippians 2:9-11 will be fulfilled, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
My prayer today is, “Lord, thank you for giving me hope in the good times and bad. I’m grateful that while everything around me may change, You never will. Please reveal Yourself and Your love to everyone, as you have to me. May we all find our everlasting hope in You, Lord Jesus. AMEN.
