“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” Psalm 39:7
I was reading one of those advice columns the other day and it troubled me. A guy wrote in and stated that he was consumed with worry over the future. The economy isn’t great, jobs are scarce, and he just wasn’t sure about the coming days. His final sentence struck a chord with me: “I know I shouldn’t worry so much but I just can’t help it.”
Basically the writer had no hope. Sure, through the lens he was viewing the world through, it was understandable that he’d make the conclusions he did. When you look at the situation in the world today, it is true that you’ll see a ton of problems. Sometimes it seems the world is off its axis and it won’t be getting better any time soon.
But what if we could put on a different set of glasses and view the world in a different way? What would happen if we shifted our focus to God, his love, and his goodness? Think our outlook would be a tad different?
We can’t know the future or what will happen to us. There may be problems but, then again, life may be a relative breeze. Who knows? God does.
We find our new set of glasses in 2 Timothy. This was Paul’s final letter in the Bible. At the time, Paul has been thrown in prison. You get the sense that he realizes how short time really is. He writes his good friend and Christian companion Timothy in an attempt to convince Timothy to visit him prior to winter’s arrival. Underlying that, Paul encourages Timothy to stay strong in the faith — to have hope. Why? Because there is so much to look forward to. In 2 Timothy 4:8, Paul writes:
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
I don’t know what is going on in your life today. You may be in the ultimate happy-go-lucky state or you may be being battered by the storms of life. God reminds us to focus on Him — not the world. We can have hope that He’s got us.
Thank you Lord for being You. Forgive me for those times when I’ve forgotten that….when I’ve spent too much time concentrating on the issues of today when tomorrow has so much promise. Help me to put on the prescription lenses you want me to wear so I can see you in focus. In You, I have hope. Amen.
Ed Rivers
Recreation Director
Johns Creek Baptist Church
2 Comments. Leave new
Eddie, you hit the nail on the head. Good advice for all of us.
Love you and what you do,
Aunt Mary Ellen
Awesome advice Eddie. I am so proud of the man you have become.
Love,
Susan