April 3, 2020


"Hope is the power of being cheerful in circumstances
that we know to be desperate."  
G. K. Chesterton 
 
We are living in what could be described as Desperate Times. The projection of 100,000-200,000 potential deaths from the "Virus" over the next few weeks is a devastating projection, a potentially debilitating prognostication. This does not sound hopeful.
I hope I and my family and friends do not get the virus.
I hope they discover and create a treatment and vaccine soon.
I hope many who are infected will fully recover.
I hope the stock market and the economy will recover.
I hope that we can get back to normal.

The Apostle Paul reminds us about where and in who our Hope is to be placed.
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for this hope."(Romans 8:18-25)

Some things are hard to believe that they are actually happening; but they are!
Living today, we understand that some things are expected, and some are predicted, and yet we still seem surprised when they happen. In fact, in our surprise we often seem to experience a sense of collective despair.
Today we are living with fear. However, in the midst of the fear we can find freedom as we, who are part of this fallen creation, wait patiently and hopefully in the future plans of God.

Today we need hope. Today we need confidence and courage.
Courage is fear that has said its prayers!
          
Serving Him with you
Until He comes for us,

Fred