HOPE AND HELP IN TRYING TIMES (1)

“But in ALL things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses” – 2 Corinthians 6:4

In Christ Jesus, we’re assured of HOPE and HELP in TRYING TIMES: “But in ALL things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings” (2Cor.6: 4-5). Paul commended himself and his co-workers to the Corinthians, providing proof that they had not been false apostles, but had faithfully represented Christ through every kind of trial, and that God's power had been obvious in and through them. His testimony remains a model for every Believer! Even now, we can abound in Hope and Help and experience Joy and Peace in all of life’s challenges, troubles and trials.

For many people in today’s world, life is filled with fear, insecurity, loneliness, discouragement, disappointment, and depression at all levels – personal, family, communal, national, and global. Hope is waning and even being shattered and lost in many circles. Multitudes are faced with deep personal pains, extreme loneliness, dire addictions, terrible sicknesses, job losses, serious parenting problems, divorce dilemmas, difficult seasons of depression, grim financial troubles, agonizing psychological and spiritual bondages! It’s hard not to read the newspapers, watch the news on television, or browse social media on the internet, and come away with a strong sense that the world is in ominous times.

Revelation 12:12 says, “…WOE to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Even Believers in Christ feel the weight of the world’s woes! In these trying times when Hope is waning and Help seems distant, we can rest on the patience and comfort of the Scriptures: “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have HOPE” (Rom.15:4). The writer of Romans prayed for us: “Now may the GOD of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE in believing, that you may abound in HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit” (v.15:13). Through the instrumentality of God’s Word – the Scriptures – we can have and abound in Hope and Help in all of life’s situations.

However tough, troublesome, or trying the times are, we must fight to keep not just a positive attitude but a Christ-centred disposition that holds tightly to Hope in God: “And not only that, but we also GLORY in TRIBULATIONS, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, HOPE” (Rom.5: 3-4). To glory in tribulations means to rejoice when we run into problems and trials, and thereby develop endurance, strength of character, and Hope. Running and pushing through trying times with God’s Help gives us incredible spiritual stamina, joy and peace, equipping us for the next life challenges, until the exhilaration of finishing the race well and strong!