Hope!

September 15, 2022

Hope!

While driving home from worship last Sunday morning, I noticed a man in his late 30’s or early 40’s standing on the corner of two of the busier streets where we live. 

He had a long beard, short hair, and clothes that looked clean.  In his hand, he was holding a cardboard sign with the words, “Need a girlfriend…to save the world!”  On his face was an enthusiastic smile and what looked like a lot of hope.

I figure the guy was not into the bar scene to meet someone who could become his girlfriend.  It was also obvious that he was not into the church scene either as it was prime time for church services around the city.

So, he took to the streets with a cardboard sign and a lot of hope that he would find a girlfriend.  But, his hope went far beyond finding a friend or a companion or a potential wife.  He wanted a girlfriend who could and would save the world!

I love my wife with all my heart.  But, I know she is not the Savior.  I love our daughters and son-in-law.  But, I know they are not the Savior.  I love my former co-workers.  But, I know they are not the Savior.

Placing all my hope for love or peace or joy into another person is bound for disappointment.  No human being can give what only the Savior can give; real hope! 

In I Peter 1:21 we are reminded; “Through him (Jesus) you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your trust and hope are in God.”

It is easy to place our hope for a better job, a better life, or a better world in other people or a thing.  It is easy to expect other people or a change of circumstances or a door that opens to save and redeem our life or our world. 

In the Psalms, we hear the invitation to place our hope in the Lord God.  Here are three examples.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.”  (Psalm 42:11)

“For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.”  (Psalm 62:5)

“O Israel, hope in the Lord!  For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.”  (Psalm 130:7)

I pray the man looking for a girlfriend can find a friend who loves him like Jesus loves him.  Although sometimes it seems hard to find, we all need that kind of love and acceptance.  I also pray that he will not put all of his hope for a “happy life” and “peace on earth” on another person.

Maybe the best we can pray is that we find people we can love and who will love us and then together with them make peace in a world that is broken. 

When we grow love and make peace, the Holy Spirit will fill our hearts with delight.  We will delight in the Lord for He is our true source of help and hope; the Lord is our source of all true love and joy.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug

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