Reading the Headlines with Jesus

"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?" –Psalm 27:1

I think it's important for each of us to be informed on what's going on in the world. But, sometimes that can be pretty frightening.

Things were probably just as alarming at the time the Apostle Paul wrote these words to his young protégé Timothy:

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." -2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP) (Photo by: Ronit Geller)

This verse has really been on my mind as I thought about the first few months of this year.

How many of us are plagued at times with fear, in whatever form it may present itself?

Fear prevents us from reaching out to someone else, from communing with the Lord, and from thriving in the joy in which God has designed each of His children to live. (Side note here: joy is not defined by circumstances, which may or may not be favorable—it means being empowered each day by the strength the Lord affords us, namely His joy; see Nehemiah 8:10)

As we look around at the world we live in—as Believers in Jesus Christ—we can't help but notice the mounting persecution against faith on all fronts, and in all places. 

In many non-Christian nations Believers are imprisoned and worse for their faith; the womb is increasingly under attack everywhere, and ideologies that are derogatory to family values are quickly becoming the norm.

It would be easy to give in to fear.

Except that none of this is a surprise to God. And even in these times, He has equipped us to walk in His love, with hope and faith.

2 Peter 1:3 says, "For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue)." (AMP)

This morning, looking around the internet at the various headlines; the aforementioned persecution; terrorism; wars and the "powder keg" situations that exist in countries that seem on the verge of war; the natural disasters in just the last 5 years alone and the increasing frequency of asteroids and comets near the Earth . . . (Photo: Guardian.co.uk)

Every generation from the first century till now has thought they must be in "the end times." Perhaps we are, and then again, maybe not.

Whether we are or not isn't as much the issue as knowing and staying close to Jesus—in these times; in every time.

The future may be unsure and unclear but it doesn't have to be filled with fear.

You can look at current events each day and bring them to the Lord in prayer; interceding for others and then asking for His peace that passes understanding to guard your heart and mind. (Phil.4:6-7)

In this way we, as Believers, can be ready to receive His direction—instead of being so preoccupied with fright, that we can't even move.

In this way we will be able to live—regardless of our situation—in God's power, love and with a sound mind. (Photo: jdshankles.wordpress)

I call this "reading the headlines with Jesus."

As long as "in Him, we live and move and have our being," then nothing can overtake us that He does not allow, and whatever it is we walk through—He is with us in every step.

"Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees . . ." -Hebrews 12:12 

". . . For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" –Hebrews 13:5
"Behold God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation."
–Isaiah 12:2

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." –Hebrews 13:8

Gleaning Hope in Our Time

Across the board, no matter the generation, gender, financial or employment status, every single person needs it—without it, life becomes mere existence at best.

But, the person who possesses this can survive—even thrive—under the most inhumane or desolate conditions:

-Amid the stifling sickness of the concentration camp
-As a prisoner of war, enduring the pain, waiting for rescue
-As a patient, taking another round of poison-called-chemo into your veins to wipe out the cancer
-Or, a mother praying and believing for her wayward child to come home.

It’s not money, fame or a new drug; it’s not even friendship, although that can bring strength as well…

…It is HOPE.

Emily Dickinson wrote about it so eloquently:

“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all…”

Though history reveals many other desperate times, every current generation likely feels the urgency for hope, as if there is no more need like the present. In every situation we find ourselves; in order to get out of bed each morning—we need hope.

The thing is, it’s there for the taking. Now, some may cite the old argument; are you an optimist or a pessimist—is the glass half full or half empty?

But I believe gaining and retaining hope is much more than just your personality or temperament. We can choose to fill our hearts and minds with what brings hope, or with what is devoid of it. Let’s face it, there’s plenty out there that is devoid of hope. And, because those downer things, attitudes and influences are all around us, we need to actively choose to input that which fosters hope. Or else, it’s all too easy to become discouraged.

But, from where do we get hope? What is its origin?

The origin of hope is GOD. Romans 15:13 says, “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.” (Italics mine)

Okay, so God is the Author of hope, but how do we acquire it?

The answer is found in Jesus.

Colossians 1:27 tells us that Christ in us is the “hope of glory.” In fact, it is the “hope [that] does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us,” according to Romans chapter 5.

There are three main ways that I gather up hope from the Lord, and I’ve found them to be pretty sure. One is through reading the Word—the Bible. A verse I love, found in Psalm 119, depicts the scenario well: “the entrance of Your Words gives light…” (Psalm 119:130) As if you’re journeying through the darkest caves where you cannot see your next step, and you speak a verse from the Bible; suddenly there’s a little light reflecting off the cavern walls—the more you speak from the Word, the brighter it becomes. And, for me, light and hope are often intertwined.

Another great way to “gather up hope from the Lord” is through music. Singing to God, and singing or playing the songs He gives you; sometimes even singing out what He is speaking to you or someone else, can be so heartening.

I really believe something very special happens between us and the Lord when we are caught up in worshiping Him—it’s a communication and interaction of another level. And it changes us.

Worship changes our attitude, heart, mind and mood. …It fosters hope in us; that hope that “does not disappoint” because it’s Christ in us, the “hope of glory.”

And the third way to bring hope to yourself, is to bring it to others. Jesus told His followers in Luke 6:38, “Give and it will be given to you…” And we know He says elsewhere that whatever we sow, we will also reap. If we then sow hope and encouragement in others, we will reap the same.

It only takes a quick glance around your town to see that the enemy of our souls is working overtime to bring people down. Starting this year, let’s be the ones to counter that—to bring the light of God’s Word; the music of Heaven; and the heart to touch another with His love.

Gather up a little hope from the Lord today.

“Out of the browns and grays, from between the long lines of wet-falling...emerged...color.

And from behind the blank wall of waiting for warmth in my mind...there came...
hope.

Creeping in like a shy guest to a room full of strangers, it stayed in the corner for a while.

But as the pastels of spring grew brighter, the flicker kindled yet more and more.

Tentative, so delicate, but blooming nonetheless...”