Hope in Troubled Times

Crime is escalating. Murders increasing. While some deny there’s a problem, those directly in charge are frantically searching for solutions. Meanwhile demands for change grow louder.

The increase is blamed on many things, such as Covid-19, decrease in police presence, easy access to guns, racism, lack of jobs, anger from hopelessness, and more.

Suggestions to reverse the trend include tighter gun control, heavier penalties for criminals, institutionalizing the mentally unstable, educating offenders, financial handouts, providing diversionary activities, and the list goes on.

Will any of these fix the problem? I believe it will take more than natural efforts to address the need effectively. I fear it will get worse before it gets better.

Our fight is not against guns or a political party. It’s not against criminals or even flesh and blood. As the apostle Paul puts it, we wrestle against “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12).

We are in a spiritual battle. Evil spirits will not be defeated by taking away guns, increasing education, providing activities, or strengthening laws and punishments.

Changes need to be made, but first we need to change our focus and attend to spiritual issues. That is the only way we can get to the root of the problem.

How did we get to where we are? The simple answer is sin, but we took some significant specific steps in our recent past that determined our course.

In 1962, we outlawed school-sponsored prayer in public schools. In so doing, we took an official position that pushed God to the side.

God said, “Thou shalt not kill” (Deut. 20:13), but in 1973, as a nation we approved the killing of babies in the womb. Recently the boundary was further relaxed, as some states legalized murdering babies postpartum. Medically assisted suicide is also now sanctioned in 11 states.

Ignoring God’s commandment opened the gates to principalities and powers. Legalizing murder invited evil spirits in, giving them legal ground to operate in our midst.

Our nation has recently embraced lawlessness. Some government officials have allowed, publicly approved, and at times even assisted in criminal destruction of personal property, businesses, government buildings, and the officials who are hired to uphold the law. As our elected officials, their actions involve all of us, even when we don’t agree.

For decades, moral guidelines have been eroding, with things normalized that were unthinkable as recently as at the turn of the century. Formerly unacceptable standards are now being embraced, taught, and pushed on young children in our schools.

Progress toward true racial integration is being disrupted by new tension and turmoil. In addition, theft, discord, hatred, dishonesty, name-calling, and use of gutter talk by public figures has become the norm.

We are now seeing what happens when we turn our backs on the living God and choose to embrace evil instead. Evil is rampant in our midst.

It’s threatening to destroy all that we stand for. The world as we know it seems to be falling apart. What can we do besides watch it crumble?

When speaking of the devil, Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (Jn. 10:10).

What a contrast! Life versus stealing, killing, and destruction. What have we chosen? Life? Or death?

As a nation, we’ve apparently chosen stealing, destruction, and death.

The good news is that the “thief” and the principalities and powers who do his bidding do not have the last word.

The enemy has been defeated. Jesus won the victory on the cross. His power is far superior to any evil spirits that seek control. As believers we must choose life over death.

It’s tempting to grumble and wring our hands in dismay at daily news reports; or, we can refuse to watch the news. But we have a choice. We can look to the living God for answers. Instead of shaking our heads in disbelief, we can stand firm on the Rock and in the life He gives.

Paul’s preceded his insight about wrestling with principalities and powers by saying, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).

Afterwards, he tells us, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, . . . “ (Eph. 6:13-14a). Stand.

God is still sovereign. Stand. Put on your armor and stand with God. Don’t be sucked in by evil. But how do we stand?

Paul continues with a description of the armor of God in terms of our need to put on truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Spirit of God, and with an encouragement to pray “always with prayer and supplication” (Eph. 6:14-18). We “put on” those qualities as we look to Jesus and abide in Him, drawing from Him even as the branch draws life from the vine.

Changes need to be made in our society, but we’re not helpless and it isn’t hopeless. Jesus has already defeated the principalities and powers of darkness.

He won the victory through His crucifiction and resurrection. If we are children of God, we are co-heirs with Jesus. We can enjoy that victory with Him.

If we put on the armor of God, pray with prayers of supplication, keep our eyes on King Jesus, and march in step with Him, we will be filled with expectation to see what He will do. In His time, we will see the victory!

Looking around at what is happening, it’s easy to believe we gone too far, to not have hope. But think about it, what was it like for the Israelites when they reached the Red Sea with the army advancing behind them? What did they see to give them hope? It seemed hopeless with a sea in front of them, rugged mountains on each side, and an army in chariots charging from behind. But God delivered them.

Years later, the helpless army of Israel fled from Goliath for days—until a lad with faith in God volunteered to face the giant with his slingshot. Did Gideon have confidence of victory when God called him to action? Likewise, Jehoshaphat knew he was doomed with kings joining together to defeat him. But he wasn’t without hope; he cried out to God to come to His aid.

We serve the same God, and He doesn’t change. If there was hope for them, there is hope today. Our hope is in God, not in the circumstances.

The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy. Jesus brings life, not death and destruction. Let’s stand on God’s side. Let us march in step with Jesus so we will be filled with hope–and will see His victory in our midst.

May the Almighty God be glorified so the world will know that He is God!

Finding Courage in Trying Times

I have been distracted and busy with health issues and moving. I finally have another post because as I read Psalm 27 this morning, I was struck once again at how timely the Word of God is. I’m blessed with how David’s words are so fitting for today. I hope it’s a blessing to you too–and that I’ll be more faithful to get my thoughts posted in the future. Bless you!

David, a man after God’s own heart, faced great troubles in his life. When he was young, King Saul and his army tried to kill David. In his latter days, a son opposed him and sought to take the throne. David was specifically chosen as a target for destruction. He knew hard times.

Psalm 27 was apparently written during one of these seasons, but it is written from a place of faith and of hope. David began the Psalm with “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?”.

He closes the Psalm with another reminder to himself. “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say on the Lord.” (Ps. 27:14)

Why would David speak of courage and having his heart strengthened unless he was anxious, even afraid. Today, anxiety and fear are high as the whole world is virtually helpless in the midst of the onslaught on our health and economy. No clear solutions are evident. Like David, many of us lack courage. We need for our hearts to be strengthened.

Whether it’s health, finances, relational issues, or other stresses, when we are out of control, feel threatened and the future is unknown, we often feel helpless, leading to anxiety and fear. We can learn from David how to obtain courage in the midst of trials and uncertainty.

David discloses insight into the source of his stress in verses 2 and 3. He mentions the wicked coming against him “to eat up my flesh,” and the army encamping against him. But his confident response is, “My heart shall not fear.”

His confidence seems to grow from seeing God’s faithfulness in the past, and his resolute focus on the Lord.

David moves immediately to the source of peace, beginning in verse 4.

“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek:” (v.4) David’s desire, his purpose and goal, the thing he sought was to dwell in the house of the Lord—to be intimate with God, to be dependent on Him for all things needful.
(2) “To behold the beauty of the Lord” (v. 4) Can you see David sitting at God’s feet, resting in His beauty of goodness and faithfulness.
“And to inquire in His temple” (v. 4) The temple is a place of worship, praise, and learning of God and His ways. David grew in confidence as He learned o f the workings of God.

Why were these the things that David desired and sought? Why was dwelling in the temple in fellowship with God his goal when in the midst of stress? David tells us. He said:

“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion, in the secret place of His tabernacle” (v. 5). A pavilion is a place of safety. A secret place is an intimate place. Only the closest friends know of it.
“He shall hide me;” (v. 5) We need to be hidden, to be tucked away from the enemy’s taunts and lies, even when an army is not chasing us.
“He shall set me high on a rock.” (v.5) High, above the fray, above the enemy, seeing beyond the immediate.
“And now my head shall be lifted (as in honor) above my enemies all around me” (v. 6) The Lord will vindicate in His time. We can rest in Him.
“Therefore I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord” (v. 6) In the midst of the storm, confidence of God’s love and faithfulness leads to a heart filled with praise, not anxiety and fear.

David is confident, but he also knows his weaknesses. The next verses are revealing. They show David’s awareness of his neediness, his abject poverty in the midst of trials. They also reveal that David knows where his help comes from.

“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!” (v. 7) When the days of trial seem unending, how often do we wonder if God hears our prayers?
“Have mercy also upon me and answer me.” (v. 7.) Don’t we always need mercy?
“When you said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’” (v. 8) We are to seek first the kingdom of God—always, but specially during trials. Are we seeking a solution, or His face?
“Do not hide Your face from me;” (v. 9) When the Lord doesn’t answer when we expect Him too, it can feel like He’s turned His back on us, can’t it?
“Do not turn Your servant away in anger;” (v.9) When we question God’s goodness and love, we need to be honest with ourselves and with God.
“You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.” (v. 9) David was apparently very low. He needed to be reminded where his help came from.
“When my father and my mother forsake me. Then the Lord will take care of me.” (v. 10). Sometimes the reminder needs to be repeated. We need constant reminders of God’s love, goodness, and faithfulness.
Teach me your way, O Lord,” (v.11) His ways are not our ways—or ours His. We need to be taught His ways, and to trust Him as we learn.
“And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.” (v. 11) Even when our enemy is an invisible little virus, don’t we desire a smooth path through to the other side?
“Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence.” (v. 12) David had two-legged adversaries, but many have experienced violence, devastation, and loss from our invisible enemy, COVID-19.

David’s list of supplications is much longer than the other parts of this conversation with God. Many people don’t pray for themselves because they feel it’s self-centered, but David thought otherwise. When we’re anxious or afraid, our needs are real. We need His salvation.

Not only are the needs real, but God delights in meeting them. He promised to never leave us and is waiting for us to ask.

David’s next words give comfort and direction for when we want to give up. Comfort, because it confirms that we’re not alone. David had similar struggles. Direction, because it shows us where we need to turn our eyes and heart.

David said, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” When we’ve lost heart, we need to ask the Lord to open our eyes to His goodness.

If we are anxious or fearful during this time, we can learn from David how to cope. He closes with “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (v. 14).

The Lord is faithful, and we can be of good courage knowing that He will strengthen our hearts as we wait on Him.

Hope for God’s Kingdom in a Dark World

Our nation is mourning, struggling to deal with horrific, unprovoked attacks on human life. We’re sickened by the evil and wonder where and when the next attack will be.

How can it happen in a safe place like WalMart? How can an activity be more innocent than buying school supplies? Too many questions go unanswered. Confusion and fear linger with the grief.

The violence must be stopped. Politicians and pundits offer answers that don’t satisfy. Reasons for the increase in mass shootings that are being pushed include mental illness, guns, racial strife, hatred, violent movies and video games, social media, loss of morals, immigration, the breakdown of families, and white males.

It’s complicated. The proposed topics could possibly be part of the problem, but I don’t believe that any are the cause.

We need to stop the carnage, but I don’t believe we looking deeply enough.

The first rule of battle is to know your enemy. What/who is the enemy leading the attacks?

Ephesians 6:12 lends a clue. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

We won’t solve the problem by dealing with earthly problems when the battle is against the principalities and powers that rule the darkness of our age. The real battle is with hosts of wickedness. It is a spiritual battle.

What is the strategy of our enemy, the devil? What does he want to do?

According to Jesus, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (Jn. 10:10). He’s trying to destroy us, to kill us and is attacking on many fronts. Mass shootings are “the thief” in action.

God told Abram, “I am a shield to you” (Gen 15:1). Through covenant, that shield is still available to the children of God. Our nation was founded on Christian principles and many faithful followers remain. So, why does he have freedom to bring such destruction to our land?

It’s obvious that the effort to push God out of our culture opens the door for attack. But permission to kill innocent people has a more specific beginning.

I believe Satan was given authority to to kill in January 1973 when abortion was officially approved by the Supreme Court. On that day our nation gave its official sanction to murder the most helpless people among us.

The physical consequences of that decision are obvious. Millions of babies have lost their lives. But the effects are even bigger than the loss of individual lives. The value placed on life has also diminished.

Consequently, it is easier for someone to disrespect and put down those who disagree or get in their way. It’s also easier to deny them life itself. We see it happening to flesh and blood, but the battle is a spiritual one.

If we want to win the battle for life, we need to focus our energies against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

That seems like a formidable foe. One that makes me acutely aware of my neediness. I don’t want to combat principalities and powers of darkness in the flesh. For this battle, I need someone much more powerful than I. I want to be hidden in Christ and to fight in and through Him.

Jesus called us to represent Him on the earth. Furthermore, He set the example by defeating the enemy, but He leaves it to us to take dominion here.

Jesus said, “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:19). We have the keys. In Jesus, we have authority to bind back the spirits of death and murder.

If we are intimidated and feel unqualified for that, we can pray like an archangel. Jude tells us, “Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, …, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’” (Jude 1:9). After all, He is the one with ultimate power and authority.

Furthermore, Jesus’ goal is in sharp contrast to the devil’s. He said, “I come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

I’m sick and tired of the senseless killings, and I know you are too. I want to support life, but have felt helpless to bring change, to bring life in the midst of the darkness.

Helplessness is cousin to hopelessness. If we’re feeling hopeless, it’s because the thief has stolen our hope.

We can’t just throw up our hands while the battle is raging—not if we want to win. We must put on our armor (Eph 6:11-18) and take our positions in the fight for light and life. We can begin by binding the spirits of conflict, darkness, death, destruction, and . . ., and loosing the spirits of life, love, joy, peace. . .. We can also ask the Lord to rebuke the enemy.

The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy (Rom. 14:17), as opposed to hatred, carnage and death. Let’s work together to see, “[His] kingdom come, [and His] will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt. 6:10).

Consider Your Way

When driving, we consider everything around us and adjust our alertness and speed depending on the conditions. Likewise, when choosing what to wear, we consider our plans and the weather. We also adjust what we say to fit our audience.

We constantly consider things as we make decisions concerning what we will say and do.

And yet, in many ways we sail—or fumble—through life without stopping to think. We follow the easy path, the exciting adventure, or the feel-good moment without reflecting on what the consequences will be.

We don’t stop to consider how our choices will affect our future. The Jews of ancient times made the same mistake.

Not only did they fail to consider what they were doing; they didn’t heed the prophets’ warnings.

And, it cost them dearly. They strayed from God, became rebellious. Consequently, Jerusalem was utterly destroyed, the temple was demolished, and they were Jews were captured and exiled.

They didn’t sit down and decide to turn their back on God. It happened as they went about their daily lives. They failed to fully obey the Lord in one area and then in another, choosing to do things to their own understanding and satisfaction.

Because they refused to listen, God turned His back on them. They were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar, and lost everything. (2 Chron. 36:5-21)

It could have been the end of the Jewish nation, but God was faithful to his covenant people.

Seventy years after Jerusalem was destroyed, King Cyrus sent some of the Jews back with instructions, materials, and supplies to rebuild the temple. They returned with high hopes of rebuilding Jerusalem (Ezra 1).

One of the first things they did was build altars and offer sacrifices to God, acknowledging His mercy, goodness, and faithfulness toward them (Ezra 3:1-6).

They then laid the foundation of the temple and had a great celebration, offering sacrifices morning and evening, shouting, and weeping with joy (Ezra 3:10-13).

But the celebration didn’t last long. Neither did their focus on the Lord and their mission. They were soon distracted from their mission.

Life in Jerusalem was not easy. Establishing homes was a challenge. Neighboring people opposed them and thwarted their efforts to rebuild the temple. Even their crops were destroyed.

Then a new king ordered a halt to rebuilding the temple. It remained in ruins for about fifteen years.

The people were probably confused and questioned their difficulties. They volunteered for the noble task of rebuilding the temple of their God—and thus Jerusalem. In return, their reward seemed to be one hardship after another.

Their efforts seemed futile. They likely wondered if God had deserted them.

Then God, through Haggai, said, “Consider your ways!” (Hag. 1:7).

He also explained their struggles, “’You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house’” (Hag. 1:9).

They may have felt like martyrs for the Lord. They might have thought He had forgotten them, but God said otherwise. Instead, they had forgotten God.

God multiplied their trials because of disobedience. They were working for themselves rather than completing what God sent them to do. God’s hand opposed them—until they returned to Him and began work on the temple.

I can understand how the faithful remnant returned with great hopes only to become discouraged. When trials come, it’s easy to be distracted by difficulties.

When we find ourselves burdened by trials, we need to stop and consider our ways. Have we been distracted from God’s mission?

When life gets rough, we tend to get distracted and seek a path of less resistance, something to make us feel better. We’ve even coined the phrase “comfort food,” for one source of satisfaction in such times. But food is not our only source of comfort.

We seek comfort in entertainment, a book, or—like the Jews in Jerusalem—fixing up our own nest. In the midst of trials, we want comfort.

Furthermore, like the Jews, we tend to seek to fulfill self-centered desires to find comfort.

Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt. 6:33), and to love the Lord with all of our being (Mark 12:30)—even when (or especially when) life is hard.

David’s familiar words remind us where to find our comfort when trials come. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4). David found his comfort in the Lord, not in chocolates or fancy houses.

It would behoove us to stop and consider our ways—especially in the midst of trials. Is our heart fully focused on God? Do we love Him with our whole heart, soul, and strength? Are we running to Jesus for comfort?

If not, it’s time for adjustments, time to get back on the path that He has prepared for us.

When the Jews repented and obeyed God, He told them, “I am with you” because “according to the covenant” “my Spirit remains in your midst” (Hag. 1:13, 2:4,5). The Comforter gives grace to endure through the trial.

Paul reminds us of further benefits of seeking the Lord while suffering.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ” (2 Cor. 1:3-5).

If we stop, consider our ways, and turn back to God, we find true, abundant, lasting comfort. Comfort and grace that satisfies and energizes.

How to Stay Hopeful When Things Seem Helpless

Do you know someone who is on the path to destruction? Someone making the wrong choices in life and unwilling to listen to counsel—or unable to overcome addiction so they can make reasoned choices.

It’s heartbreaking to watch them self-destruct. If you’re close to the situation, you feel helpless as you watch and can do nothing to halt their steady decline.

We celebrate the fact that God gives us free will . . . until we want to take control of someone we love in order to rescue them from self-destruction. All efforts are futile. There’s nothing you can do if that person doesn’t choose to listen.

Nothing but pray, seeking God’s mercy and intervention.

There are many situations where you are helpless to fix the problem, times of sickness, financial stress, relational problems, and more. Times when you’re easily overwhelmed by the circumstances and find it difficult to keep going.

If you aren’t careful, it can affect you too. As you grieve your loss—of hopes, dreams, relationship, productivity, even life–it robs you of peace and joy. If you let it, you’ll be pulled into the vortex of the difficulty.

If you remain focused on the problem, trying to figure out what you can do and how you can help, the darkness of helplessness and hopelessness will engulf you.

Jesus said, “if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matt. 6:23). That’s what the enemy wants, for us to lose sight of the Light and walk in darkness.

Don’t let the enemy pull you down. Several simple steps will help you live in victory, even in the midst of the trial.

Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12), and the source of our light (Eph 5:14). Furthermore, He called us out of darkness and into His light (1 Pet. 2:9), and told us to seek Him (Mt. 6:33).

As you seek God, your eyes will be toward the light, allowing your body to be filled with light—with hope, strength, faith, peace. When your soul is weighted down, turn your eyes on Jesus to let the light in and chase away the darkness.

You can’t ignore the problem. It’s too much in your face and/or too deep in your heart. When darkness begins to invade, bringing fear, confusion, helplessness, anger, hopelessness, guilt, or . . ., run to the Light. Gaze into Christ’s marvelous face.

If you want to walk in daily victory, gaze at the Lord and glance at the problem throughout the day. Don’t give the darkness a chance to creep in. Live with you gaze on Him.

God is bigger than any problem that we might face. Give Him all your worries and cares. He has won the victory.

Taking the problem to Jesus doesn’t guarantee it will work out the way you imagine, but He will not leave you (Mt. 28:20). He will not let the burden be greater than you can stand (1 Cor. 10:13), and He will strengthen you for the journey (Ps. 31:24).

Furthermore, you can be confident that when things don’t go your way, it’s because He has purposes that are beyond our understanding (Is:55:9, Rom 8:28). When things seem overwhelming to us, later we can often see how He worked good out of the devastating trial.

Second, remember that God is bigger than the problem. Think of times when He has been faithful in your life—times when He rescued you or when he worked good out of what seemed bad. Think on the times He was faithful in the lives of Bible heroes: David and Goliath, the miracles that freed Israel from Egypt, Daniel in the lion’s den, and so forth. God is sovereign. He has power over all, and He is faithful.

Third, ask the Lord for a rhema. Ask Him to speak to you and listen for His answer through His Word. Read the Bible seeking His Word for you for NOW, the verse or the phrase that jumps off the page and speaks to you, filling you with hope. Then hold onto that Word when your faith begins to falter.

Memorize it so it becomes part of you and will be quick to come to mind. It will be your salvation.

God said, “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh” (Prov. 4:20-22).

In one particular relational struggle, God told me, “Don’t return evil for evil, but give a blessing instead, for you were called that you might inherit a blessing” (1Pet. 3:8).

Another time, He said, “Fear not!” (I was terrified of what I imagined for my loved one.), “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, . . . for I will fight for you, and you will hold your peace” (Ex. 14:13-14). (I was worried sick about how to “fix” the situation, but God told me to be still. When I began to fret, I held onto this verse and God did fight for me. He took care of it.)

Our hope is in the Lord. Not in ourselves. Not in other people. Not in the circumstances. If darkness of helplessness or hopelessness threatens to steal your joy and peace, run to Jesus. He is our hope and the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2).

“Isaiah says: ‘There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him [Jesus] the Gentiles shall hope.’ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:12-13).

For a Better Tomorrow

The New Year offers a chance for a new beginning. It is anticipated with a sense of holiday and celebration, of resolutions, commitments, and an opportunity for change.

Even if we don’t celebrate by staying up to ring in the year or make resolutions, changing the calendar from one year to another brings a sense of hope that springs from a chance to begin anew.

The five most common resolutions made illustrate the hope for change, leading to a better life. They are to (1) loose weight, (2) quit smoking, (3) get/stay fit and healthy, (4) learn a new skill, and (5) earn more and/or spend less.

Those worthy goals could lead to a better quality of life. That is, they could if the goal is pursued beyond the five-week to three-month follow-through of most resolutions. (Statistics indicate that only 14% to 20% of people who make resolutions meet their goals.)

However, notice that those resolutions deal with external things. None of them deal directly with the heart and soul, the inner man. None consider relationships or internal growth and development.

Don’t get me wrong. The health of our body is important. In fact, I’m purposing to work on that myself, but the fitness of our inner man and relationships has an even greater impact on our quality of life. It seems we’re pursuing the wrong goals.

If we hope for a better tomorrow, the best place to start is with our relationship with God. If we are obedient to Him and His ways, He will bless us in other areas of our lives, (He promised; read Deuteronomy 28.)

If we trust in Him, He will give us grace for trials that come and will also help us with the disciplines we need to establish.

Do you hope for a better life in 2017? Jesus is the answer.

Having a rich relationship with the Lord lays a foundation and provides strength for anything and everything we face in life. It’s also a key for building healthy relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. With God and friends supporting us, other hurdles are much less daunting.

A few suggestions for pursuing that goal are:

Seek to know the Lord better. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you.
Read His Word and listen for Him to speak to you.
Share your joys and struggles with Him.
Develop friendships with others who are seeking God
Seek (and keep on seeking, according to the verb tense of the Greek) and you will find Him.

I have one other suggestion to better know God, comprehend the Bible, and better understand the nature of the relationship He desires with us. I recommend reading The Great Exchange: Bound by Blood to begin your year.

I grew up in a Christian family and went to church three times a week most of my earlier life. I was not only active in church, but was a leader, even as a teen. But more than 10 years after becoming a Christian, the lights came on for me when I learned about the ancient ritual of cutting a blood covenant and how it is central to the Bible.

It exploded my knowledge of God. My faith was quickened by understanding the symbolism in the covenant God cut with Abraham. I discovered the same covenant ritual and symbolism in Jesus’ death. I want the same for you.

Furthermore, I saw that David’s faith and courage to face Goliath clearly came from his understanding and knowledge that he had a covenant-keeping God. Covenant is about relationship and it defines the relationship God chose to form with us. Without understanding the steps of the ancient ritual, we miss much of what the Bible has to say and of who we are in God.

I hope you will seek to know God better in 2017—and that you’ll order a copy of The Great Exchange: Bound by Blood. You can get it wherever books are sold, on this site, at Amazon, Christian Book Distributors, or almost any place books are sold.

I wish you a Happy New Year. But, more than that, I wish you a better tomorrow through the blessing of a deeper and richer relationship with the Lord.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. So they shall put My name on the children of Israel (the children of covenant), and I will bless them” (Num. 6:24-27).

Finding Hope in the Midst of Darkness

James* was doing well in his rehab program. His mother, Sue*, was hopeful that this time it would succeed. She was working to tear down the defensive walls she’d erected around her heart, trying to not always be on her guard, always measuring his words and actions. Maybe, just maybe, he could return to a productive life and not have to go to prison. (*Names are changed.)

But the last visit with him was unsettling. James talked and acted strangely. He wasn’t himself. It was reminiscent of the time she had to call the police on him because she feared for her own safety. But he was also kind, gracious, and generous. It didn’t make sense. Uncertainty kept the walls in place that day.

Then the call came. James had acted strangely at work. Details were scarce, but he was in a mental hospital for evaluation. Involuntary admission. Needed clothes. A saw was mentioned. Did he cut himself?

His response didn’t help, “It wasn’t too bad. I wrapped it up and kept working.” But then the cops came and took him away? Sue was left with more questions than answers.

However, within twenty-four hours James was evaluated and released, apparently not deemed a threat to himself or others.

But that was quickly followed by a phone call in which James cursed his mother out. He made it clear—with liberal use of foul language—what a bad person she was and how she’d let him down.

When Sue told James she would hang up if he kept using bad language, he cursed her, snapped, “Don’t worry about it,” and hung up.

A worker at the treatment center heard James’s side of the conversation and confronted him. After their talk, James called to apologize.

It was good he apologized, but it wasn’t convincing. Her conversation with the man who had spoken with him that evening gave further understanding, but she was far from convinced that everything was ok.

She had been questioning how she would know when it was safe to allow him back in her home. Now this happened. I talked with Sue several times throughout the drama with James, and I could see her defenses going back up. And with reason.

Sue is a single mom. Her husband died when James was a baby. After the phone call, she knew she couldn’t allow him to come home or even drive him to WalMart for needed supplies on her next visit. She was afraid to be alone with him.

As we chatted about the situation, about James, his well-being and what it meant for the future, everything seemed uncertain and bleak.

Then, the picture began to change.

In the midst of the darkness, it was mentioned how fortunate it was that the aide heard James rant on the phone and had confronted him immediately. The Lord was good to arrange for someone to hear and confront James, so things could be resolved more quickly.

The worker also said everybody at the center likes James. In addition, he affirmed her words and actions and said she was being a good mom. Furthermore, the Lord confirmed that her perceptions of her son were accurate.

The longer we talked, the more we saw the Lord’s hand in the events that had unfolded. We saw that God had been with Sue. He had her back.

She was not alone. Indeed, God had led her through everything.

I got excited as evidence of the goodness of God unfolded. Likewise, I could hear Sue’s voice change as the light invaded the darkness that surrounded her. Her tone became hopeful, confident, and maybe even a bit excited.

Nothing changed in the situation. Things remained uncertain with James because he was still not himself. The need for caution lingered.

And yet, everything changed, because Sue had hope and confidence. The walls weren’t torn down, but it was not all up to her. Sue was no longer alone in the drama.

Everything changed because our eyes were opened to see that the Lord was with her. She wasn’t alone. God was taking care of her.

Psalm 146:9 says that the Lord supports the fatherless and the widow. Sue knows that verse. It has been a mainstay of hers for years. But she needed to be reminded of it in the midst of the trial.

I share Sue’s story (with permission) because I need to be reminded—and think we all do—that Jesus said He’ll never leave us or forsake us, “so that we [can] confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?’” (Heb. 13:5-6).

Sometimes a situation catches us off guard because it comes suddenly. Other times, it descends so gradually that we don’t even realize we are walking in darkness.

It doesn’t matter what the situation is, whenever we realize that we are without hope or we have erected walls of defense, we need to ask the Lord to open our eyes to see Him.

The Lord is always our hope and salvation. He is faithful.

If, and when, we waver in the midst of darkness and despair, we need to ask the Lord to open our eyes so we can see His goodness. When we see the Light, hope rises.

“O Israel [Christian], hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is lovingkindness [covenant faithfulness]” (Ps 130:7a).

A Simple Secret to Hurry Spring

This time of year, I look for Spring. I’m ready for sunshine and daffodils.

If I’m not careful, short, cold, gloomy days pull me down. When one melancholy day leads to another, motivation and energy drag. Reason fights to stay up and be responsible; to change the mood, but it doesn’t necessarily come easily.

But, I’ve found a secret to fight the blahs. It’s not new and it’s simple, but it works.

Gratefulness is the key. I give thanks.

Sometimes, I start with the simple things. Things like a home, heat, and food in the fridge. That’s quickly followed by health, family, and caring friends. (When health is not so good, there’s always someone I know who is much worse off. Always something to be grateful for.)

Other times, I start with things that really matter. Things like a God who is love and who listens to me. One who is unchanging, faithful, and good all the time. I have a Savior, who gave His life to save my soul. He never leaves me, and guides me day by day. Gazing at Jesus and what He’s done for us leaves no room for gloom.

It doesn’t matter where you start; the list goes on and on. On any day, I have ample reason for Spring in my heart and in my step.

But it’s not quite that simple. There’s more.

Sometimes, mentally listing the things I’m thankful for helps, but doesn’t leave me reflecting the joy of the Lord. I need help to lift my heart over the hump–especially on days that are gloomy from relational problems instead of the weather.

The problem is that it’s possible to list things I’m thankful for without truly being grateful. When I’m really grateful, I bubble up inside and want to tell somebody the good news.

Accordingly, when I share the blessing that I’m thankful for, it multiplies my sense of gratitude. It quickens my joy and brightens my step.

If I’m drooping, whether from winter weather or a difficult situation, I need to count my blessings and then share one or two of them with somebody else. When I give testimony to God’s goodness in my life, it’s transformative.

I get stuck in melancholy because I’m stuck in looking at the circumstances. Verbally praising the Lord for His goodness lifts my eyes to Him, filling me with faith and hope. That’s what lifts my spirits

Spring is not far away. Indeed, “weeping (winter, gloom, suffering, pain) may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Ps. 35:2b, ESV). We can’t hurry the morning much less warmer days and daffodils, but we can hurry the spring in our hearts—and thus in our step.

Lord, help us be a fresh breath of Spring, even when in the midst of Winter.

A Key for Keeping Resolutions

January is the time of making resolutions to overcome bad habits and sins, to change our behavior and become better. February to June is the time when those resolutions are often broken. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

If you want to be faithful to the commitment you make, there are a few guidelines.

Remember that we make our plans but God directs our paths. We can’t see what tomorrow will bring that could interrupt our efforts. However, if we are listening, we can hear when God convicts us that we need to make a change. If God directs a change, His grace will be available to carry it out. So, the first thing we need to do is make God part of the equation—from setting the goals all the way to completion.
Make all your efforts as a commitment to the Lord and look to Him for your reward. Seek to please Him. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive your reward” (Col. 3:23-24).
Ask the Lord for help along the way. When it’s tough, look to Him. When you fail, run to Him, repent, confess, and ask for help, When you succeed, give Him the praise and glory. He made us to be dependent on Him.

When you lose heart, remember that the Lord is sufficient to help you succeed. As an example, consider a resolution to overcome anger. God clearly tells us to get rid of anger. That would be a worthy goal for 2016.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice” (Eph. 4:29,31).

Life is better without anger, and it’s clear that God doesn’t want any expression of anger left in our lives. He wants it all gone, all put away. If we’ve been convicted that we need to get rid of anger, we can expect to gain freedom.

But, it’s not that easy when faced with life situations that anger us. Anger is an emotion. It just happens. In fact, we might not make that resolution because we’ve tried and failed so often, that we have no hope of success.

Focus on our failures will defeat us. Instead of looking at the past and at our strength to prevail, we need to keep our eyes on God.

He is our hope. His grace is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9), and all things are possible through Him (Matt. 19:26, Lk. 18:27). He would not ask this of us if it were something that couldn’t happen.

But we we are not alone. God is with us, but we need to grasp His hand for the journey. It is through Him that all things are possible. If we keep our hopes on ourselves and our own efforts, we will probably fail. Only as we look to Him for our salvation and transformation do we find His grace sufficient.

Sometimes, after a failure, we become disappointed in God for not answering our prayers. However, if we run to Him only in the crisis, only when we have a pressing need, we will never fully tap into the grace that is available.

Our God is a relational God, not a problem solver on call. We grow in grace and strength and are conformed into His image through an intimate relationship with Him.

Jesus faced the ultimate abuse, and He never lost His temper or spoke a word in His own defense–but He maintained daily communion with His Father. He often slipped away for time alone with Him.

For whatever resolution we make or need we face, God’s strength is available. His grace is sufficient. The question is. Are we sufficiently related with Him?

(Adapted from Lesson One of Uprooting Anger: Destroying the Monster Within, a Bible study that will guide you through steps to overcome anger by walking with God through the journey.)

Hope for the New Year

Leaving one year and entering a new one is a time of transition, a chance to begin again, with hope for better. That sense of hope is strengthened by New Year’s wishes for happiness, blessings, and prosperity.

We celebrate as we embark on our new beginning, and even make resolutions in our hope for better, for improvement in life.

We have reason to hope for change in 2016. This year, several things have threatened our sense of security, such as court and political decisions that dictate unrighteousness and moral decline, an influx of illegal immigrants, random attacks by individuals and by terrorists groups, and talk of welcoming refugees.

As candidates compete for political support, the lack of clear answers to problems is evident. Lingering questions and doubts further threaten peace for tomorrow.

However, since we celebrate Christmas just a week before the New Year, we have a fresh reminder of the source of hope.

Emmanuel (God with us) is the maker of heaven and earth (Ps. 115:15). He is our hope. Jesus is not afraid of tomorrow because He is Sovereign over all (1 Tim. 6:13-16).

Furthermore, He is with us, so we have no need to fear (Matt. 1:23). Even in a seemingly out-of-control world, He cares for His own. He will see to our needs.

We know that, so why does our hope waver and grow dim?

Jesus said, “If your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Matt. 6:22-23). When our hope grows dim, we need to check our eyes.

When our eyes are turned toward Jesus, we are filled with light and hope. When we focus on the bad things in life (whether personally or culturally), we’re filled with fear, darkness, and hopelessness.

“For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life” “Which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span?” (Matt. 6:25, 27).

Watching the news sometimes steals my joy. So does listening to murmuring and complaining—whether through my own thoughts or from others. When I focus on problems, hope evaporates because I feel helpless to make—or to influence—needed changes.

But it’s not about me or what I can do.

I have a friend Who is King of kings, sovereign over all. He is faithful. He works all things together for good in His time and way. Hope rises when I look to Him, remembering His love, compassion,mercy, power, and His covenant commitment and faithfulness to keep that covenant.

If my hope is slipping, all I need to do is turn my eyes to Jesus, Emmanuel. “I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope” (Ps. 130:5). Wait means to look for expectantly, to wait with expectation, to hope.

When my focus is clearly on Him—rather than on the problem or what I want Him to do—light floods my soul and hope rises as I gaze into His eyes.

The world is a mess, and it seems we are going in the wrong direction. But the answer isn’t in fixing the problems. The answer is in Jesus. Our efforts will fall short without Him.

As long as we deny God, we will face trouble. However, “the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness (covenant faithfulness)” (Ps. 33:17-18). The God Who is with us is not surprised by the state of the union, and He watches over His people.

Our challenge is to guard our eyes and keep our hope in Jesus, not on the politicians or anything or anybody else. We need to fear God and hope in Him more than we fear the things happening around us.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).

Help us, Lord to be faithful to look to You for our hope and salvation throughout the new year.

Robert & Kay Camenisch encouraging and equipping relationships