"Is There Hope?"

 

“Is There Hope?”

 

While I was in seminary during the 1960’s we had daily chapel services. One day the President, Dr. Vernon Grounds (see the early posting, “Finishing Well”, to learn more about this godly gentleman who greatly influenced my life and ministry), held up a newspaper with the headline “World in Turmoil”. The stories accompanying this statement included the Vietnam War, civil unrest, the Cold War and the threat of nuclear destruction, among others. This was an era of uncertainty and, to many, hopelessness but God’s love, mercy and grace has preserved our nation and the world over the past half century.

It’s mid-October as I write these thoughts but any present-day news outlet could use the same words to describe the times in which we’re living. Today we’re beset with a global pandemic, upcoming elections, political divisiveness, a Supreme Court nominee’s confirmation, unrest throughout our nation (and the entire world), international sabre rattling and a host of other issues. The same question arises now as did in the 1960’s: Will our nation and world survive?

This morning I stopped at our local post office. After pulling out of the parking area I passed a church building with a message on its signboard: “God Has This”. I’d seen it numerous times previously but it had never struck home as it did today. I pumped my fist into the air and shouted, “YEAH!!” Then I thanked God that He’s faithful and in control.

To some this may seem naïve and like a pipe dream but listen to what Scripture says (emphasis added in both cases):

*”The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it….” (Psalm 24:1).

*”…You alone are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18).

*See also Deuteronomy 4:39; Daniel 4:35; Psalm 47:2.

Kittie Louise Suffield expressed it this way in an old gospel song: “God is still on the throne, and He will remember His own, Tho trials may press us and burdens distress us He never will leave us alone…His promise is true, He will not forget you, God is still on the throne.”

Is there hope? YES!! But we must look for it in the right Place (“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”--Psalm 39:7, emphasis added).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan