#BibleStudy. Timeless Truths. Hope - A light in the darkness. Part 2
Over the past months, America has experienced racial unrest unrivaled in decades and an increasing amount of negative "news" reporting about health and economic issues.
Fear has replaced hope in many lives.
This post focuses on HOPE as the light of your life.
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:1-7
All Scriptures are from the New International Version of the Holy Bible.
Hope - hōp/
noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
"he looked through her belongings in the hope of coming across some information"
Hope - hōp/
verb - want something to happen or be the case.
"he's hoping for an offer of compensation"
synonyms: expect, anticipate, look for, be hopeful of, pin one's hopes on, want; wish for, long for, dream of
"he's hoping for a medal"
Definitions/Examples from https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1169&bih=869&q=define+desire&forcedict=desire&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjuoOHVrtTRAhUM32MKHRKbAtMQ_SoIHjAA#q=define+hope
Last week's topic was Jesus as the source of hope in hard times.
The prophet probably wrote today’s Scripture for King Hezekiah of Judah, one of the few “good” kings of Israel.
- Matthew takes the passage and applies the “light” to Jesus and His ministry.
- The light of Jesus brings attitude and presence that overcome the shadow of death
When you are in the light of Jesus
- Peace, love, joy, and hope become more important than any circumstance in which we find ourselves.
- We are invited to become part of a bigger story where ultimately evil does not win out.
- There is hope for today.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17
After Jesus finishes quoting from the passage that opened this post, He immediately directs His listeners to the pathway leading to the hope expressed in the passage.
To experience how hope will be realized for the nation of Israel, today that's all those who follow this directive, Jesus instructs you to
- REPENT—turn around.
- Turn away from stuff you can’t count on.
- Trust in God.
- Join the Kingdom of God that Jesus came to establish.
Be hopeful.
Jesus draws close when others push us away.
Special thanks to Pastor Brian Frey for the primary teachings used in the preceding portion of this post.
Bonus: More hopeful thoughts
These are important to think about during this time of strife and confrontations between people of different races and backgrounds.
These are important to think about during this time of strife and confrontations between people of different races and backgrounds.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
Isaiah 9:6
Although this is not part of Jesus’ quote, there are plenty of hopeful points in this verse from the surrounding text.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
Isaiah makes it clear that what follows about this child is for us—all of us, including you.
the government will be on his shoulders.
Regardless of which political party is currently in control, you can have hope in the Kingdom of God when and where the government is on the Son of God’s shoulders
he will be called
What follows are four of the many names for Jesus of Nazareth.
Wonderful Counselor,
Whatever the circumstance you face, whatever the problem you’re stuck in, whatever situation you regret, Jesus is your Wonderful Counselor. Turning these parts of your life over to Him replaces hopelessness with hope.
Mighty God,
What can be more hopeful than a relationship with the God of the universe?
Everlasting Father,
Regardless of how much or how little hope you experience from our earthly father, having an Everlasting Father fills you with hope.
Prince of Peace.
Hoping for “world peace”? Jesus is the only answer.
Finally
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
- There is hope for the future.
- The great government of God and its associated peace is eternal.
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