'Real Answers' by Pastor Bruce Sofia'
HOPE
Question: WHERE DOES ONE FIND 'HOPE' AFTER SOMEONE YOU LOVE HAS DIED?
There are two kinds of hope, the world's and God's. When the world speaks of hope they do so in the sense that what they wish for may come true; when God speaks of hope it is a done deal.
Romans 5:5 tells us: And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who he has given us.
So, where does one find hope after someone you love has died? In the only source that "does not disappoint." Consider these promises: (There are 157 verses in the NIV Bible that contain the word hope, I am only going to give you five.)
Psalm 25:5 - guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 147:11 - the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Jeremiah 31:17 - so there is hope for your future.
Romans 5:3-5 - ... we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; (4) perseverance, character; and character, hope. (5) And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
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What is the reality of these promises? When you put your hope in Him, He will be your guide, He will see that your future is secure and blessed, He will develop your character when you think it is beyond developing, and He will give you a love that will open your eyes to your value in Him and the inheritance you have in Him - not in your husband, or relative, or son or daughter, or anyone else - but in Him.
Your value in life, your contribution to life lies in who you are in Christ and what you do for Christ, not in identification with a loved one. It is not wrong to identify with another person, to model or imitate another who brings honor to God, but the reality is "your worth and value, your ‘hope’ is in Christ." Place your hope in Him in whatever you do; you won't be disappointed.
