Where Our Hope Is

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2019 5:17 pm Post subject: Where Our Hope Is

Where Our Hope Is

Scripture:

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people. And they were all with one accord in the porch of Solomon. But of the rest no man dare join himself unto them: but the people magnified them. And the multitude of men and women who believed in the Lord was more increased: Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that, when Peter came, his shadow at the least might overshadow any of them and they might be delivered from their infirmities. And there came also together to Jerusalem a multitude out of the neighboring cities, bringing sick persons and such as were troubled with unclean spirits: who were all healed.
(Acts 5:12-16)

I, John, your brother and your partner in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience in Christ Jesus, was in the island which is called Patmos, for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus. I was in the spirit on the day of the Lord and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying: What you see, write in a book and send to the seven churches which are in Asia:

And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks: And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, one like to the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I am the First and the Last, and alive, and was dead. And behold I am living for ever and ever and have the keys of death and of hell. Write therefore the things which you have seen: and which are: and which must be done hereafter.
(Revelations 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19)

Now when it was late the same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them: Peace be to you. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus comes, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said: Peace be to you. Then he said to Thomas: Put in your finger hither and see my hands. And bring hither the hand and put it into my side. And be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered and said to him: My Lord and my God. Jesus said to him: Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen and have believed.

Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his name.
(John 20:19-31)

Reflection:

As we survey the world and the ways of people, what do we witness? What do we see? There are many faces, old and young; many who are innocent, many who are helpless, many who are defenseless; the strong prey upon the weak. We observe the entire spectrum of life under attack. Political voices howl to confuse and distract to confound the heart which seeks what is right and just. Many are tempted to despair as the evil one works to tempt us to believe there is nothing we can do to change the direction of the world.

In the midst of turmoil, our hearts flood with sorrow. As we observe the tsunami of evil washing over the world, the evil one endeavors to deceive us to believe we are helpless to turn it away. Our will to make a difference is drained from us. The battle before us is designed to deplete our hope, but the darkness cannot subdue the Light.

When we are tempted to despair, we must take inventory of our resolve. We must ask ourselves, how is it we may allow the darkness to rob us of our hope? If we see only the world, perhaps our discouragement is justified, but if we look to the Light sent unto the world, we shall see the darkness cannot overcome it. (cf. John 1:3-5)

Perhaps it is true, alone we are too weak to prevail, but we must remember, there is One who stands by us. The One who created us holds out His hand to walk with us. His voice calls to us; the children of His creation. He calls to gather us together, to nourish and strengthen us; to place the light of His love within us. We need only look how He has worked through the meek and the humble through which to influence the mighty and the haughty. (cf. Luke 1:46-55) If we allow, our Lord will work through us and enable us so we may help to accomplish His will.

What holds us back from taking His hand and allowing His light of love to fill us and shine through us? Perhaps we do not see the Hand which reaches to us. Perhaps we doubt ourselves. Perhaps we doubt what He can do through us. Perhaps our ears are closed to His call. Perhaps our heart has fallen dark, deceived to believe there is no place for His light within us.

When we sense the attacks of the darkness, when we sense the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness rise within us, we must look to strengthen our resolve against the evil which endeavors to consume us. We must resolve to open our eyes to His truth. We must resolve to listen for His voice. We must resolve to allow the wisdom, courage, and strength of His Word to fill us. We must resolve to allow His love to live within us and through us.

We must make no mistake, as we turn to take the hand of our Creator, the evil one will target us for attack. Though the world may conspire to cause the body to suffer, no matter the political rocks which strike us or the political arrows which pierce us, as long as we trust in Him, such darkness can do no harm to our soul. Only doubt will cause us to fail.

Let us, then, pray God will remove the doubt with which the evil one endeavors to fill us. Let us pray our Heavenly Father will guide us to the purpose for which He created us. Let us pray He will help us see how we may help to encourage what is right and just, for He did not create us to be spectators of the world, but to be participants in the accomplishment of His will.

Let us remember the good conduct to which we are encouraged as we are told in scripture, ?[S]anctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.? (1 Peter 3:15-17) Let us remember, the hope which He offers simply awaits our choice to turn to Him.

Questions for further reflection:

What signs of good and evil do we observe in the world?

In what ways does God encourage us to help accomplish His will?

In what ways may we throw off our doubt and despair so we might help spread, live, and share the message of hope which comes to us through Christ?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier