The Hope of the Afflicted

Psalm 9:18 But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

The news of the past month has been filled with stories of the afflictions being endured by those on the east coast in the path of Hurricane-then-Superstorm Sandy. October 29, 2012 was for many the beginning of a prolonged time of affliction. Hurricane force winds knocked out power and caused severe damage. Boats were driven ashore to be left high & dry of streets, roads and even railroad tracks. The devastation was wide spread. Fuel supplies were taxed to the point where gasoline rationing was required.  For some the affliction continued for weeks as crews struggled to restore power in the face of monumental obstacles. The hope of the afflicted was dimmed by bureaucracy, bungling, and incompetence that permeates all human endeavor of disaster preparedness and response. When God-sized disasters happen, only God-sized efforts can overcome the afflictions.

The relief efforts pouring into the northeast following Sandy has been staggering. Private, and public relief agencies have stepped up to the plate and tried to help. Few had contemplated the scale of devastation that Sandy left in her wake. Those who had fully grasped what could be the result of a storm of such magnitude were ignored in the face of a desire for profit or rising costs coupled with declining budgets. Sadly the reality is now present for all to see. What stands out in stark relief is 1.) the heroism of those who went out to face the storm and rescue those in peril and 2.) and the acts of generosity from those who have given much. Each day, for the several weeks after Sandy, stories were presented for public consumption about emergency services workers who risked it all to step in where help was needed. Not all survived and their loss is mourned. The words of Christ from John 15:12&13 come to mind when I think of their sacrifice. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.  The second part is the acts of kindness and generosity displayed by those who gave so much to those who have need.  The gifts of food & water, shelter, warmth, kindness were and remain prolific. A bakery that baked thousands of loaves of bread to freely give out to the hungry. Or one family that had power and set up a smart phone charging station allowing many to stay in touch with family and friends. A simple gesture, yet one that speaks volumes of how simple it is to help.

Each of these acts speaks to how all can help.  Any one of us can be the hands and feet of embodying the very premise of Psalm 9:18 But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. How we step out in faith and love depends upon the gifts each of us has been given. Stepping out is the imperative; after all it is what has been done so lavishly for us in the birth-life-death-resurrection of God’s own Son Jesus Christ. Love one another as He has loved us.

How will you share His love today by being the hope of someone else in this world?

PRAYER: Almighty God we look to you in times of trouble, sorrow and affliction. Help us when we need help. And help us to reach out in love, as You would have us reach out to others who are in a time of affliction. And strengthen our faith to share even when we think we have too little to share. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

The Hopes of the Wicked

Proverbs 10:28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,  but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.  

            In our part of the world the focus has been on the rush to “Black Friday” shopping.  It’s the time of year when efforts to take “Christ out of Christmas” ramps up. We see nativity scenes being yanked from public areas where they once drew crowds. The celebration of the birth of the Savior of the World is overshadowed by the blaring advertisements for the newest, greatest, and most capable thing we cannot live without in our lives. Oh, excuse me while I check out the online Cyber Monday Deals. ;-)

            Okay I’m back. Now where was I? Oh yes, the take “Christ around Christmas” rant I was on. I’m somewhat sorry about that. But this time of year really causes me irritation over the lack of recognition for what Christmas is really about. The deliberate, and very focused effort to divert our attention away from the true meaning of Christmas is disturbing. As well it should be. We as Christians KNOW what Christmas is really all about. It is not about sales and tinsel and glitter. It’s about celebrating the birth of the Christ Child. It’s about the wonderful gift of salvation given to all who would believe in Jesus. It’s a gift covered in the blood of Christ and in the shape of a tomb opened one Easter Sunday long ago. A tomb that was found to be empty. The empty tomb is wherenthe body of Christ Jesus was lovingly placed there on the day we call Good Friday. And just as he promised, he rose from the dead. His birth, death and resurrection is the hope that all who believe grasp onto. There is hope beyond what we have at this time, in this place and in the short existence we call this life. Friends, that is the very message many seek to hide from public view. I struggle with why there is such a concerted effort to hide the hope and joy that is in Christ? Proverbs 10:28 tells us The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.  It is as if there is someone or something with a purpose and focus bent on keeping the good news from being heard or seen. It is as if someone or something wants to remove from view the hope that is in Christ. Now I wonder who would have an interest in doing something like that? If you haven’t already guessed it, do not be ashamed. Most do not see the deception that Satan throws around the not so subtle effort to go from freedom of religion to freedom from religion. Yet if we take Jesus away, then we put Job 11:20 onto play. “But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them;  their hope will become a dying gasp." That is a path I am not willing to accept of follow. Friends we need to stand firm for Jesus when all others would seek to hide Him or divert our attention from Him.

And what about you? Is the hope that is in Christ in your version of Christmas?

PRAYER: Father our broken world seeks to hide from public view Your love in the form of Your Son. We who know the truth are often shouted down or told to walk away. We can become discouraged and disheartened. Lord we ask for the strength and courage to stand tall. We ask for the faith to speak in love, Your love to those who act without love against You. Help us to be Your servants here on this earth acting as You would have us act. Fill is with more Jesus and less of this world. This we ask in the strong name of Jesus, Amen.

The Hope Of You Who Once Were Far Away

Ephesians 2:12&13 Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Have you ever been on a trip to someplace new to you, and become hopelessly lost? When I say lost, I mean you have no clue where you are, or how to get back to where you want to go.  Granted, with the proliferation of GPS navigation systems in about every device we can possibly carry it can be difficult to be that lost. I have been lost with a GPS in North Las Vegas and once without in the woods of Island Park. And like most people I have been temporarily disoriented with a GPS several times while the device was “recalculating”. There is a distinct difference between being lost with a GPS and being lost without a GPS. For with a GPS there is hope you can find your way back to where you started, or to where you want to go. The hope you have in the GPS is bounded by your trust in something built by a human, with data entered by a human and the duration of the batteries in the device. Without the GPS you are left with just your wits. For guys it would be that innate male sense of direction you can always rely upon. Yes, that same sense that put you into the position of being lost in the first place. Talk about being in a hopelessly lost condition :-o

In Christ Jesus we have something beyond the hope given to us by maps, compasses or GPS devices. We have  the very Son of God, a full part of the Trinity to guide us. He rescued us poor sinners when we were hopelessly lost in our sin. He came to earth at a time and place chosen by His Father to save a world that was hopelessly lost. Before Christ those who were not Jewish (The gentiles) were without knowledge of the One True God. They were worshipping false gods, or no god at all. (Much like many in our world today.) Even though they felt comfortable in that condition, they were lost and without true hope of salvation and eternal life. Like driving around with an out of date map or a defective GPS. Then Jesus showed up and changed everything. He set things right. The blood of Christ brought near all who were once far away from God. The foreigners to the covenants and promises, those who were without hope and God in the world were given hope. It’s a hope that can overcome any feeling of despair, hopelessness or fear. This wonderful blessing is there for all who are willing to put down whatever defective guide they are following in their lives and follow Christ Jesus to their preferred destination.

Are you on the right path? Are you following Jesus today? Give this some thought and prayer. Set your course by Jesus and you will find your way when all other guides will fail you. Trust in Jesus.

PRAYER: Lord of all creation, You place the stars, moon and sun in the heavens to help guide us in our travels on this earth. And You have given us Your Son to show us the way back to You when our time on earth has ended. Help us to stay on the path of Christ Jesus in all that we do and say dear Lord. Keep us from becoming lost and help us to reach out to those who are lost without Jesus. We ask this in the name of Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.