Hope is a probably the most powerful and probably the most important factor when it comes to overcoming our biggest challenges. Without it, all is lost.
They say that in certain tragic situations you must be crazy to keep hope alive. But it’s that little spark deep within the human heart that eventually pulls us from the brink of despair. Hope has the power to do impossible things. It is always hard to be optimistic during difficult times. Yet, hope is our only weapon. We can use it to fight and eventually find a way forward. We can sit around waiting for the worst to happen. But there is the reality that there is always at least one more thing that one can do. We just may not have yet realized what that is.
But even people who are more optimistic and hopeful by nature (I count myself one of those) need a little reassurance, every now and then, that things will get better. This is the role of the prophets is Scripture: to remind us that in the end God prevails. This alone may be enough to bring back one’s inner optimist.
What other passage do we need on this New Year’s Eve than this....
Isaiah 9
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light:
they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined.
Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy:
they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest,
and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden,
and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise,
and garments rolled in blood;
but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,
upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom,
to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice
from henceforth even for ever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. That is the key! It is the Lord of hosts - of many forces and unreserved strength - that gives us hope. Once we understand this, we might again find the inner strength that turns the tide of battle - that gives us hope - that gives us the strength to do what needs to be done to overcome what confronts us. We need not walk in darkness anymore. On us a great light has shone!
So Have hope! Happy New Year!
