The Hope of Jesus never disappoints. It points to His comforting arms and appoints those into His life-fulfilled purpose.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
There is nothing quite as heart breaking when you have to say goodbye to someone you love so dearly. From saying goodbye to a passed loved one whom you've shared decades of memories with, to having to let go of a close relationship you thought would last for life. From saying goodbye to good friends over the years, to giving one last cuddle to your dog as their time has come. Saying goodbye is just plain nasty. It leaves an opening in your heart that only that special one could fill.
Death is something we all struggle with, and it is a mystery for most humans today. Death seems final, it seems like it's the end of the road and what lies beyond it is nothing but silence and black. I suppose that's what grieves and scares a lot of people today - they think that once death approaches them or a loved one, their life is over. So, "live your best life now, make it count, you only live once".
But what if they were given hope - a hope of eternal life? A hope where after they close their eyes for the last time on earth, they open them for the last time in heaven. A place where there is no death, no more suffering, and no more pain and tears, but eternal, abundant life. I think a lot more people would live differently today. Death wouldn't feel like such a loss and the hole left inside wouldn't feel so deep. Saying goodbye would be easier and letting go would be a celebration. There would be hope. This hope is given to the world today. He is alive after having conquered death Himself. His name is Yeshua - Jesus Christ.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 1 Corinthians 4:18
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2
As we get to know Jesus Christ and we believe the good, finished, and victorious work He did at the Cross, our sight changes. Our eyes become open to the unseen - the power of the Holy Spirit, the testimonies of His work, and the glory of God that is unfailing and bright. Once we have tasted and seen His goodness, our hope in Jesus overflows and we begin to look forward to eternity. When trials come our way, we know that we can "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer," Romans 12:12.
The hope that Jesus brings is beautiful because when our hearts are harmed, to the place of brokenness and emptiness, knowing that we will be okay and that there is life ahead of me brings so much peace. When our peace is taken away, we're left questioning and doubting. We're left insecure and searching for peace again. But Jesus is the Prince of Peace, He gives us rest as we give Him our burdens and mourning. He gives us wholeness and purpose. We can walk in healing, we can walk in freedom, we can walk in Hope.
He says,
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus is gentle and humble. Although He is the Son of God and He is living at God's right hand in the highest place of honour, Jesus came down from that place of honour for you. He physically took every whip and mockery, the crown of thorns, the hitting and the nailing, and the torture and the sin. He took it all so that you don't have to. He suffered death so that you may have life. Often people blame God for taking someone they love away, but if they truly knew God, they would know that God doesn't take away life, but rather He gives life. Jesus gave Himself as an offering for death so that we may live eternally. There is no other God that is this humble and this loving. We will find rest for our souls - eternal life with Him - when we just go to Him and allow Him to take over our lives.
God is a faithful and able God that saves. He performs miracles, He heals, strengthens, guides, and completes and transforms lives for the good of all those who love Him. He also welcomes home those He loves at the right time, He allows certain trials none too difficult that we can bear, and He reveals His power perfectly when we are weak. May we never use our present pain as an excuse to doubt God's goodness and ability. For God is an awesome God that has His own Will that is good, perfect, and pleasing. And when we ask Him for His Will to be done in our lives, may we not stray away from Him and underestimate His existence when something is hard or goes against what we seem is fair on us. God does not give trials and death, but He definitely uses it for our good and His glory!
The Hope of Jesus never disappoints. It points to His comforting arms and appoints those into His life-fulfilled purpose.
And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10
For us to truly hold on to hope, we need to seek Jesus with all of our hearts. Where we can get to know God, is in His Word, for it is by His Word that we can gain any understanding, knowledge, wisdom, comfort, and faith in God. It is in His Word that we find hope.
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4
So dear friend, I know mourning is painful. I know letting go of a loved one seems too difficult to bear. But take heart knowing that whatever you may be going through - Jesus is close. Whether you are in a joyous season of your life, or in a grieving period, He has felt all you are feeling and He is not leaving You ever. Hold on to Him, Yeshua, Who is the hope of this world and give Him your worries and burdens. Allow His Presence to give You perfect peace and comfort, for the Hope that He brings leads to eternal life! There is no fear in His love, there is a hope of a new tomorrow full of new mercies, and there is such joy awaiting you!
There is so much Hope for us now because we know that our passed-on loved one is welcomed Home. They are in the arms of the Father, a much better place to be. It is not goodbye forever, but for now. They are rejoicing - having graduated into Heaven where we all belong. It is a celebration! For to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:8.
To end off this post, I would like to turn to scripture, our daily bread:
The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure. Psalm 16:9
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7
Yes, my soul, finds rest in God; my hope comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6
That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
Father God, we come to You in the Name of Jesus. Thank You Lord for being so good to us, for giving us Your Word, and for giving us a hope and a future. I pray, Lord, that all who are mourning or hurting right now, that You may comfort them and strengthen them with Your peace. As we are called to weep with those who weep, and mourn with those who mourn, we thank You Lord that in times of brokenness we have our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ supporting one another and offering Your love and comfort to them. Jesus, thank You for being our eternal and life-giving Hope. We surrender our burdens and lives to You Lord, and we thank You for Your rest and yolk given to us. We honour and glorify Your Name, and we look forward to being with You again. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
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