Hope for the New Year 2022

Besides peace and joy, hope is another word that gets overworked at Christmas. It is quite natural that the word hope would be very big at this time of the year. Christmas is after all the birthday of Jesus Christ. The arrival of a new baby is a time of hope. This was certainly the case with Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Messiah and Savior. He represents the hopes and aspirations of many who believe. On the eighth day after his birth, Jesus was dedicated by his parents in the Temple. Eight days after Christmas is the first day of our New Year. Along with Christmas, the arrival of the New Year brings renewed hopes and expectations for peace and prosperity. So it is no wonder that many holiday cards make mention or use the word hope.

A lot of people, including my grandchildren, hoped for certain things at Christmas (and dropped big hints)! Many others are hoping for particular things in the New Year: the end of the pandemic, a job, increased business, new or improved relationships. Much of what we call hope is in reality wishful thinking. The biblical concept of hope is not mere expectation or desire. Biblical hope is confident expectation; it is trust in God. The New Testament uses several adjectives with the word hope. There is “good” hope (II Thess. 2:16), “blessed” hope (Titus 2:13), a “better” hope (Heb. 7:19), and “living” hope (I Peter 1:3).

Would you like to have more of the biblical hope, which is a sure thing versus wishful thinking? Be careful before you answer this question. Reread what Paul wrote in Romans Chapter 5, “We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (v. 3 & 4). Did you get the progression mentioned in these verses: suffering, perseverance, character then hope? Paul also mentions to the Thessalonians their “endurance inspired by hope.” (I Thess. 1:3).

The New Testament uses the word hope in conjunction with several different things. There is hope in the future. Numerous times the Apostle Paul mentions to the various people he is writing, that he hopes to visit them soon (Rom. 15:24, I Cor. 16:7, I Tim. 3:14). To the Philippians, Paul hopes to send Timothy (2:23). Sometimes he adds the phrase, “if God wills…” We should always think this regarding our plans whether we consciously state it or not. One thing we can be certain about is the “hope of eternal life” (See I Thess. 4:13, Titus 1:2 & 3:7).

There is hope in God. The ground upon which our hope is based is of course “the God of hope” (Rom. 15:13). “We have put our hope in the living God who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe” (I Tim. 4:9-10). We ought to trust in God, not countries, corporations, or money (See I Tim. 5:5 & 6:17).Lastly, there is hope in Jesus Christ. The fountain head of hope is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. “In God’s great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Peter 1:3). “Christ in you is the hope of glory (Col. 1:27). “Christ Jesus is our hope” (I Tim. 1:1). “I/we hope in the Lord Jesus” (Phil. 2:19). His return is indeed “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).

Faith and hope are linked together. “Now faith is being sure of what we hoped for and certain of what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1). May you experience your hopes in 2022.

 

Passing Through Difficult Times

God’s relationship with Israel in Biblical times provides us with insight into His relationship with His people today. God is portrayed in Isaiah 43:1-3 as Creator, Redeemer and Protector. “But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’”

God states that He created and formed Israel. God created (to make from nothing) His people through the call of Abraham and formed a nation by allowing them to experience tribulation and difficult times. Israel suffered in bondage in Egypt, wandered in the wilderness and struggled with her enemies during the occupation of the promised land. Through these hard times, God was molding a people He brought into existence. Likewise, God uses tribulation today to form and shape individuals. Life’s greatest lessons are often learned through difficult experience (see Romans 5:3-5 & I Corinthians 10:13).

Having created and formed Israel, God also claimed that He redeemed (means to buy back) them. This was necessary because mankind, being sinful, wanders from and rebels against God. He calls us, by name, back to Himself. The New Testament makes it plain that He has redeemed us through the death of His son Jesus Christ on the cross. When we accept by faith Christ’s payment for our sins and respond in obedience to His call, we experience redemption. God is then not only our Creator and Redeemer but he also becomes our Protector.

References are made in these verses to God’s acts of protection when the children of Israel passed through the water of Red Sea to escape the army of Egypt’s Pharoah. They also crossed through the Jordan River when they entered Canaan and the three Hebrew children were delivered from the fire of Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace in Babylon.

Notice that belonging to God does not preclude difficulties and suffering. What God does promise is to be with us during those times of trials. The Author of Hebrews quoted Moses’ words of comfort to Israel and its leader Joshua: “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).