Rejoice in Hope
In many ways, we live in a world of anxiety and hopelessness. Many have lost hope in a better economic future. Others feel betrayed by circumstances, governments, and influences beyond their control. Life is getting worse, not better. Yet for the follower of Christ, the opposite should be true. In last month’s blog I quoted the words of the Apostle Paul from Romans 12:12; “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” So what does it mean to rejoice in hope?
One writer noted that the biblical definition of hope is the sure and confident expectation of receiving what God has promised us in the future. The believer’s hope is not a faint or obscure wish but, as Hebrews 6:19 tells us, “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” As believers, our hope is never anchored in our current circumstances, but in the future promises of God.
Steve Cuss, in his book “Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs” writes, “Anxiety is generated by false self. Anxiety is a sign that the false self is demanding we nourish it instead of dying to it” (p. 20). Jesus said that a mark of a disciple is that they deny themselves (die to self) and take up their cross daily (Matt. 16:24). As a disciple dies to self, his or her life should be focused outward and upward, rather than inward. Furthermore, the Apostle Paul wrote about the struggle between the old self and the new self and he reminds us, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). Christ’s disciples are called to die to the desires of the flesh, and to the inclination to be self focused and anxious, and instead to live by faith, trusting in the promises that are ours in Christ, and giving ourselves to loving and serving others, for Christ’s sake.
We rejoice in hope by purposefully dying to self so that we might live the abundant life that Jesus offers to each of us, free from worry, anxiety, and the ever changing circumstances of life. Rejoicing in hope allows each of us to weather the storms of life and tribulation, whatever they look like, and to bring all things to God with an outward and upward focus in constant prayer. Rejoicing in hope does not change the circumstances of life; it changes our outlook and response to those challenges.
Rejoicing in hope, anchored in faith, allows each of us to experience a joy not dependent upon circumstances, possessions, or even good health. It is a joy to know that our God is sovereign, and that His Word remains true in the midst of an ever-changing world. We may not have control over many things in our lives, but we can choose to rejoice in hope, bear all tribulations, and come consistently to the throne of grace.
Choosing to rejoice in hope!
Rev. Bill Allan, AGC President