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.

 

A Prayer for the Economy

For National Day of Prayer 5-7-2020
"Pray God's Glory Across the Earth"

Eternal God – Our Heavenly Father,

In the news today, another 3.12 million Americans filed for unemployment; the 7-week total has reached 33 million. This Coronavirus has not only caused thousands to die prematurely – both here in the United States and in Countries worldwide. It has put millions out of work – caused loss of income needed to support families, pay for rent or mortgages (provide roof over heads), put food on table (feed the hungry) and cover other essentials such as medicine, transportation, etc.

In your Holy Word there are many references on work. In Genesis 2:15 we read – You, “the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Following mankind’s fall into sin you stated, “Cursed is the ground because of you (man); through painful toil (work) you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow (strenuous work) you will eat your food” (Genesis 3:17-19).

    
This you, Oh Lord God, have decreed for mankind – and it has been true down through thousands of years of human history.

    
The Apostle Paul gave this exhortation in his letter to the Ephesian Christians – “He (people) must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in  need" (Ephesians 4:28).

    
He, Paul, practiced what he preached for he stated this to the Thessalonians: “You ought to follow our example, we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you… we did this to make a model for you to follow… we gave you this rule; ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’” (II Thessalonians 3:7-10).

   
People need to work. People want to work but today many millions have lost their employment due to the COVID19 health crisis. So, Lord God we are praying for this disease to be abated – that the health threat would reside so that businesses can again be open to serve the public’s needs and provide gainful employment for their workers. Without jobs people can’t provide for their families (home, food, medicine, transportation).

    
They can’t “render to Caesar” (the government) revenue to provide needed service to protect citizens. They can’t “give to God” their tithes and offerings for ministries…

    
We ask for a healing of our land of the disease and its affect on the economy. We ask not for selfish reasons but to provide work so that the other needful things can be realized again.

    
We continue to pray for your protection for those who are still working – in the healthcare field, first time responders and people serving in essential services including retail (for food and other essentials).

   
Grant these requests/prayers offered in Jesus name – Amen!