Comforting Hope

Erma Bombeck said, "If life is a bowl of cherries, why am I in the pits?" We all have times or even seasons in our lives when circumstances overwhelm us. For this reason, God has promised to be our Comforter in John 16:7.

Does Jesus cares, when my heart is pained,

Too deeply for mirth and song.

As the burdens press
And the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long

Oh, Yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Saviour cares.

The shortest verse in the Bible packs a profound statement. John 11:36 – Jesus wept.   He asks us to “cast our cares on Him, for He cares for us".

Days are filled with sorry and care,

Nights are lonely and dear.

Burdens are lifted at Calvary,

Jesus is very near.

We all encounter hard times in our lives. We are either coming out of a trial, in one at the moment, or fixing to go into one. When we look at the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in Daniel, Chapter 3, we see that Jesus was with them in the fiery furnace.  The fire had no power on them and they did not even smell of smoke.

You can have a song in your heart in the night,

After every trial,

After every mile.

Anyone can sing when the sun’s shining bright,

But you can have a song in your heart at night.

How do we do this?

O, soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see.

There’s light in a look at the Savior

And life more abundant and free.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Look full in His wonderful face.

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim.

In the light of His glory and grace.

Look to Jesus for the comfort He gives and He will renew your hope.

Seeking Hope

Seeking hope requires an action.  We don’t sit still and quietly say, ”I hope everything will turn out OK”.  There are many verses in the Word admonishing us to do our part and seek. As we would sing  in Youth Group:

Seek and ye shall find,

Knock and the door will be opened,

Ask and you shall be given

And the love come trickling down.

An often quoted verse of encouragement is Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you, Plans to prosper and give you a future and a hope.”  Verse 13 says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”  God is looking for a seeking heart to instill a future and hope.

Seek ye first, the Kingdom of God,

And His righteousness.

And all these things shall be added unto you.

Allelu, alleluia

How do we seek? In Luke, chapter 15, Jesus tells three parables to answer this question. 
The shepherd left the ninety and nine to seek one little lost sheep. His example shows the importance of sacrificial seeking. He braved the elements, expended time and energy in his quest.
The housewife lit a lamp, swept and searched until she found her lost coin. This lady shows the importance of diligence and using all available resources.
The father, did not give up, but daily scanned the horizon expectantly looking for his lost son. This story shows the importance of waiting and praying for what is sought when only God can work a change in a loved one.

Seek first the Kingdom,

And all things will find their place.

Seek first the Lord and all His righteousness,

And seek His holy face.

And the world,and all its pleasure,

Will just slowly fade and dim.

And you’ll find true peace in Him.

When you seek first the Kingdom.

Matthew 13:44, 45 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, or like a priceless pearl. When a man finds it, he sells everything he has and buys the land or the pearl. May you be willing to  sacrifice and diligently pursue a closer walk with God, expecting a positive outcome as you find your future and hope in the King of Kings.