“Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 43:5

Looking back on 2009 and the first decade of the new millennium, much has been said in the news about how terrible this period of time was.  Politicians encourage us to put our hope in the government to bring us back to a time of prosperity, peace and security once again.  While it’s easy to become discouraged by all that has happened, it’s also foolish to allow ourselves to be deceived by “hollow and deceptive philosophies” that look to men for hope to change our circumstances.

As we begin a new year and a new decade that still portends economic, political and global challenges, we would do well to remember that our hope lies, not in the rule of men, but in the Sovereign Ruler of the universe and eternity.  We must also remember that hope thrives best, not in the absence of adversity, but in the midst of it when it is rightly placed.

While Americans are by no means the pioneers of adversity, when “stuff” happens which turns life upside down and threatens to break our spirits, the psalmist, who understood life-threatening adversity, reminds us that hope thrives.  He does not speak of hope as some trite cliché, but the genuine article rooted in the knowledge of Him who is our Savior and God.

FANNING THE FLAME

What a perfect opportunity to help our grandchildren see what hope built on Christ, our Solid Rock, really looks like!  Rather than dwelling on negative things or complaining about all that is wrong, it is an opportunity for us to think on those things that are excellent and praiseworthy, and praise Him who keeps us in the midst of it all.  May the God of all hope strengthen you and keep you from falling, so that even when hard pressed on every side, you may not be crushed or despair because your eyes are fixed on Christ and that which is unseen.

GRANDPAUSE: “On Christ, the Solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”  — Edward Mote