But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. –I Peter 3:15
Like countless people, you may have waked up this morning and heard what seems to be only bad news. There are floods in the Midwest that have devastated entire communities, an oil spill off the Louisiana coast that no one seems to know how to stop, rumors that gasoline prices are about to rise – again, and we always live with the threat of terrorist attacks. Unless we are resolved to get up and face the day, we might just feel like pulling the covers over our heads and staying in bed. Indeed, all of the trouble in the world can easily leave us feeling saddened and defeated.
The Scripture challenges us, however, not to set our hearts on the trials and struggles that are right in front of us, but rather on the Lord Jesus Christ. When our hearts are set upon Christ, we can find the courage and strength to move forward through life with confidence that God is with us and will help to be Christ’s witnesses in a world darkened by sin and tragedy. When we are walking with the Lord and relying upon His grace and strength, we will be empowered to shine His light even in the midst of all of life’s challenges.
The idea is that those who do not have the Lord in their lives will see our faith and will want to know how we can be so hopeful in the middle of all the terrible events taking place in the world. We then have the opportunity to tell them: My hope is not based upon me, the world, my circumstances, or my own abilities, but my hope is built upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Hope is a blessed resource that will keep us moving forward when we might otherwise have given up. Hope in Christ is the most secure and prevailing hope available to anyone – and it is that: available to all.
The best remedy for the troubled soul is to look to the Lord, and find hope in Him.
