Grace and Peace to you!
I am sure that there are others like me that have been tempted, when reading a book with a thrilling plot, to jump to the ending. We might think that by knowing the ending it could help ease us through the tension. Afterall, once you know where the author ends, you are then able to read on in confidence, right?
Too bad we can't do that in life. When the tension is just too much, wouldn't you like to know how everything is going to end up?
As we face this pandemic, we wonder how things will end up, too. We don't know. We can't gaze into a crystal ball and predict what tomorrow will bring. We can't flip ahead to the final chapter and read the outcome in advance.
That uncertainty leaves us with a feeling of vulnerability. We want to be in control. We want to map out our course and be sure of our destination. But try as we might, we cannot completely control our future destiny. So, how do we find hope in the midst of uncertainty?
The Apostle Paul was no stranger to uncertainty. Paul wrote a letter from prison letter to the church in Philippi. While writing this letter, Paul had no idea how long he’d have to stay in prison. Would he be released a free man? Would he be executed? Would he be locked up and forgotten and eventually die in a dungeon? There were no answers. Through it all, Paul rooted himself to the promises of God.
The Apostle Peter contrasts the power of Easter and the pain of life’s troubles as he writes of the power of perseverance in 1 Peter 1:6-7, “In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
I have observed that one of the key qualities of an effective life is perseverance. No matter the struggles they face, effective servants of God persevere with God. The key to such perseverance comes from knowing the difference between divine purpose that is eternal, and life’s difficulties that are temporary.
When you begin to think of failures, remember that God raised Jesus from the dead and God is alive and present.
When you begin to feel the remorse of guilt, remember that God raised Jesus from the dead and the forgiveness Jesus' death and resurrection bring.
When you begin to be afraid, remember that God raised Jesus from the dead and then move forward with the courage that God Himself provides.
When our future is unclear, there is one thing that is certain, we belong to God! And no one can snatch us out of God’s hand!
God's Promises are rooted to the future. They tell us what the future holds. They are the faith equivalent of looking ahead to the end of a book. When oour current situation is filled with uncertainty, God's promises give us courage to face the unknown. They kindle the fire of hope to sustain our spirits.
In Christ!
Pastor Bakker
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NRSV)
Grace and Peace to you!
I am sure that there are others like me that have been tempted, when reading a book with a thrilling plot, to jump to the ending. We might think that by knowing the ending it could help ease us through the tension. Afterall, once you know where the author ends, you are then able to read on in confidence, right?
Too bad we can't do that in life. When the tension is just too much, wouldn't you like to know how everything is going to end up?
As we face this pandemic, we wonder how things will end up, too. We don't know. We can't gaze into a crystal ball and predict what tomorrow will bring. We can't flip ahead to the final chapter and read the outcome in advance.
That uncertainty leaves us with a feeling of vulnerability. We want to be in control. We want to map out our course and be sure of our destination. But try as we might, we cannot completely control our future destiny. So, how do we find hope in the midst of uncertainty?
The Apostle Paul was no stranger to uncertainty. Paul wrote a letter from prison letter to the church in Philippi. While writing this letter, Paul had no idea how long he’d have to stay in prison. Would he be released a free man? Would he be executed? Would he be locked up and forgotten and eventually die in a dungeon? There were no answers. Through it all, Paul rooted himself to the promises of God.
The Apostle Peter contrasts the power of Easter and the pain of life’s troubles as he writes of the power of perseverance in 1 Peter 1:6-7, “In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
I have observed that one of the key qualities of an effective life is perseverance. No matter the struggles they face, effective servants of God persevere with God. The key to such perseverance comes from knowing the difference between divine purpose that is eternal, and life’s difficulties that are temporary.
When you begin to think of failures, remember that God raised Jesus from the dead and God is alive and present.
When you begin to feel the remorse of guilt, remember that God raised Jesus from the dead and the forgiveness Jesus' death and resurrection bring.
When you begin to be afraid, remember that God raised Jesus from the dead and then move forward with the courage that God Himself provides.
When our future is unclear, there is one thing that is certain, we belong to God! And no one can snatch us out of God’s hand!
God's Promises are rooted to the future. They tell us what the future holds. They are the faith equivalent of looking ahead to the end of a book. When oour current situation is filled with uncertainty, God's promises give us courage to face the unknown. They kindle the fire of hope to sustain our spirits.
In Christ!
Pastor Bakker
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NRSV)
