The Weekly Word: Hope can be found

By Pastor Matt Howlett, First Baptist Church

As we listen to the news of the world, we hear of a global pandemic which we still do not have under control or even fully understand. Our West Coast is ravaged by wildfires, while hurricanes hit the East Coast. There are riots and unrest all over our nation and numerous wars all around the world.

It becomes depressing and is easy to lose hope when we focus on the things of the world. Yet hope still abounds for those of us who look to Jesus Christ for our hope and turn from the ways of the world.

We are called by the Apostle Peter to always be ready to give a reason for the hope that we have, as he wrote in 1 Peter 3:15: “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

In the midst of such turmoil in our world there is still much hope to be found. Just this past Sunday eight people from two separate congregations gave their lives to Jesus Christ and choose to follow that call through in Baptism.

These eight souls rejected the hopelessness of the world and turned to our one true hope found in God alone.

They embraced the words of King David in Psalm 62:5-8: “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

Hope abounds for all those who call upon Jesus Christ, accept him as their savior and embrace that our God is a God of hope even in these difficult times.

While struggles and difficulties will still arise, God will guide us through and lead us along the path that is everlasting.

While the media wants to fill our news with all the worst that society has to offer and all the darkness within it, we can always remember and cling to the truth that all around us hope can be seen, heard and felt. We have to look for it and not allow the dark ways of the world drown out the true hope of God that is shining through it all!