Seven Biblical Reminders of Hope for Today’s Struggling World

When feeling like the candle of hope’s flickering, about to die, picture those birthday candles with the flame automatically springing back to life. The hope we have in Almighty God is exactly the same. It cannot be snuffed out by trials and hard-times. Though the Word of God offers many more, here are seven Biblical reminders of hope for today’s struggling world.

One: Aging

My mother used to say, “There’s nothing Golden about these years,” as another annual checkup revealed her meager height had shrunk a bit more. On April 28, 2014, my precious little mother exchanged this life for eternity. At the age of ninety-one years and seven months, Mom discovered how temporal such concerns had been all along. I couldn’t help wondering if her four-foot, nine-inch frame had returned to the five-foot, one-and-a-half-inches Mom insisted she still had in spite of her doctor’s tape measure. I reckon, in Heaven, Mom doesn’t much care if it didn’t.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (II. Cor. 4:16-18)

Two: Suffering

I’m not much a fan of suffering, but I do see some value in it for a time. In the same way that vaccination with a tiny bit of active disease can actually help our bodies produce proper defense against a full-blown infection, suffering can produce elements of strength within us.

“…we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Rom 5:3-5)

Three: Sadness

I don’t mean the deep sorrow or grief that overtakes us with the death of a loved one. There are plenty of other events over which to be sad in this world, right? Sometimes, the shock of the news causes the sadness to linger. Here’s one recent example:

Last week, a book marketing professional described a unique strategy to promote a new book by a former pastor. The marketer contracted the sanctuary of a large church to hold a meeting for people who no longer believe in God. The pastor-turned-atheist author will speak as part of his book promotion, signing books for a time following his presentation.

While agreeing his marketing strategy had probably not been done anywhere, the simple fact that he could attract such a large crowd to the event created a profound sadness in my heart.

Whatever sadness is lingering for you, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom 15:13)

Having a relationship with the Living God, through accepting the Lord Jesus as our Savior, and not just the head knowledge that God exists, we can “Rejoice in the Lord always.” (Phil. 4:4)

Four: Fear

The prime weapon of terrorists is fear. ISIS threatens, and authorities react while the public cancels their long-held trip plans.

We don’t need to tremble in fear. As God’s kids, we can have the same confidence as David, the king and author of many psalms—not to mention a man with a lot of experience facing danger.

”For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.” (Ps. 27:5)

Five: Distrust

A broken promise is always painful, especially at the hands of one we trusted completely. Many Christians left the faith when they believed God didn’t come through for them.

The truth is that we don’t always pray for our need according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. If we did, we’d see our prayers answered exactly as prayed because God cannot lie.

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (Num. 23:19)

We can trust God.

Six: Insignificance

How many times have we felt totally insignificant, wondering why God would even care about us? We’re in good company. David felt the same way when he wrote psalm 22.

“But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.” (Ps. 22:6)
Rise up and take to heart the words of Zephaniah. God not only doesn’t see you as insignificant, He’s singing over you.

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zeph. 3:17)

Seven: Uncertain Future

YouTube videos, podcasts, and written articles abound regarding end-time prophecies. While everyone agrees we’re living in the Last Days, we have nothing to fear as children of the Most High God. If we’re doing all we can to stay in right relationship with the Lord, seeking Him for every situation and decision, we are totally safe.

Being completely safe doesn’t necessarily mean things will be comfortable and smooth sailing. God sent the young prophet, Jeremiah, to encourage His people, Israel, at a time their hopes had just been dashed. The Babylonians had taken them captive, and many thought God had let them down.

If we dig a bit past the surface, we’ll find that God had told them not to surrender because He’d deliver them. They didn’t trust God in the face of overwhelming odds and surrendered anyway.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer 29:11-13)

Whatever your circumstances, know this: God cares. Follow God’s commands and He will see to your future.

Conclusion

The main thing’s that this life’s not all there is. As the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Cor. 15:19)

A few weeks back, this blog offered a three-part series highlighting the startling revelation of a young atheist who discovered life didn’t end with death. I’ve heard the same testimonies from professionals—a cardiologist and a psychiatrist–, as well as a housewife who died only to find the spirit lived on.

Books have been written about children who died and returned to describe what happens after a person dies. A nine-year-old girl (Miracles from Heaven) and a six-year-old boy (Heaven’s for Real) glimpsed the world God has prepared for our eternal home.

As disciples of the Lord Jesus, we have more than a transient hope that somehow things will work out in the increasing chaos of today’s world. Whatever happens, we can be assured God’s not looking the other way. In His time, Scripture will be fulfilled. That’s more than a hope; it’s a promise from the God Who created this world and all who dwell upon it.

Feel free to copy and print these verses. Keep them on the nightstand near your bed. Meditating on God’s words of hope helps relieve stress, especially if you viewed the late night news before turning in.