Tag Archives: hope

Apr 21 2012

Hope and Comfort

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  • In the days before His death, Jesus’ emotions were carried from one extreme to another.
  • More than a few times was Moses overwhelmed in his leadership and ministry duties to God’s people.
  • Many have heard of Job & his sufferings.
  • Solomon expressed the depths of love and joy in the Song of Solomon and the depths of futility in Ecclesiastes.
  • The complaints and sorrows of the “weeping” prophet are laced throughout the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations.
  • David’s songs of joy and despair are recorded in the Psalms.
  • Because of exhaustion and fear, Elijah prayed to God that he might die (I Kings 19:1 – 18).
  • Jonah also prayed that he might die – because he was angry about God’s mercy and compassion (Jonah 4)!

Our moods are fickle and our emotions are subject to many variables and circumstances. It is no secret that the few days we have in this life are full of trouble (Job 14:1, 2; Matthew 6:33, 34). Yet in all these examples (and the countless others since then to this very moment) God is ultimately in control; knowing all and ready to comfort, encourage, help and provide for our needs. In II Corinthians 1:3 – 11, the apostle Paul praises God for endurance, compassion, comfort and deliverance. He found that intense pressures led him to depend on God all the more.

How do you respond to times of intense pressure?

Do they drive you away from God or to Him?

If one is not a Christian, God does not know him and He does not have God (Ephesians 2:11 – 22; John 10:14 – 16, 27, 28; Matthew 7:15 – 23). Peter and Paul make it clear that if one is not “in Christ”, he has no hope in this life or in the next life (I Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:11; I Peter 1:3). Of course, God is intimately aware of (and concerned about) each of us individually and our individual circumstances. Yet there are special blessings and promises of comfort and hope for those in Christ. Among others. . .

  • The Holy Scriptures gives endurance, encouragement, and instruction (Romans 15:4).
  • The Holy Spirit strengthens, encourages, instructs, comforts, and guides (Acts 9:31; John 16:12 – 15). He even helps Christians communicate with God and relates to God on their behalf (Romans 8:26, 27).
  • Jesus Himself intercedes for Christians as well (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:23 – 25; I John 2:1).

As you seek God’s righteousness, once you become a Christian and as you begin to grow as a child of God, the Holy Spirit will begin the renewal process in and through you (including your thought patterns and emotional responses). He will give you a new focus, perspective and outlook on yourself and on life (Romans 12:1, 2; Philippians 4:8, 9; Romans 8:5 – 9; II Timothy 1:7; Galatians 5:22 – 26). It is a difficult process that will take time; prayer and discipline but we cannot achieve true inner peace and wholeness through self-effort nor human intervention.

Only God can ultimately satisfy.

Let God heal and transform your mind and heart.

Experience the freedom of a constructive, positive and holy inner life.

“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:8 – 10