Where do you go for hope?

It's been an interesting few days? weeks? months? Everywhere you turn people are talking about the poor state of the economy. You hear people comparing it to the Great Depression and wondering if they should plant a garden this summer. It seems as if we are constantly hearing about suicides or even worse murder/suicides. And you wonder what could make someone so hopeless that they want to end it all and maybe even take others with them. Often it seems it is because they lost their job or were in financial difficulties. I'm not always an optimistic person, although I try to be. But I often have thought and said, "If I ever messed up my life so badly that I wanted to kill myself, I'd probably mess that up too and end up in worse shape." That sounds really pessimistic doesn't it? I don't mean it to be. I guess what I'm trying to say is that no matter how bad things have gotten, they could always be worse. I don't mean that in a pessimistic way at all. Really I don't. Maybe I should say it a different way. No matter how bad things look, they are better than they might be. Does that sound more optimistic even though essentially saying the same thing? No matter what happens to me and my family, I know my hope is in the Lord and He is still in control. I literally stake my life and soul on the promises in the Bible. My hope for the future isn't wrapped up in my house or farm or bank account or my job and income. I don't care about being "successful" in worldly terms. In Bible study yesterday we talked about the definition of financially blessed. We decided we are blessed if we have food and clothes, our needs met, our bills paid, and are able to give to others.

A year or so ago, my employer gave me the difference between my allotted insurance allowance and the premiums of the plan I chose, but it had to be put in a tax-sheltered annuity or something like that. I called a man I know and trust who works in that investment stuff and said for him to set me up what I needed and send me the paperwork. He wanted me to meet with him and he'd show me my options. I said no, that I trusted him to make wise decisions for me and I really didn't need to understand it all. This year when it was time to do this again, I told him the same thing and he was shocked that I trusted him to do this. Well, first of all, I know him to be a reputable person. Secondly, this wasn't my life savings that I was investing in a troubled economy. I wouldn't go hungry if I lost it all, it was just leftovers that I had never even seen. And thirdly, but most importantly, I trust God to take care of me and my needs no matter what the stock market does. My hope isn't in a tax-sheltered annuity or retirement plan. My hope is in God and in the best retirement plan ever, Heaven.

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:38,39 says, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

I Timothy 6:6-8 says,"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

I Timothy 6:17-19, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

Where is your hope? I am finding more and more of my friends who are looking for a source of real hope. They want to learn more about the Lord. They are hungry for the assurance only He can give.