Hope springs eternal

‘Hope springs eternal’ was a favourite phrase of my mother-in-law, usually said in relation to a raffle or lottery ticket. 

In our world of conflict and spreading darkness, hope is a mind-set in short supply. I hear people expressing fears about the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine, whether it will draw us all into an Armageddon scenario. The news jerks from one nation under siege and in a failing way to another. World leaders wring their hands, make pronouncements, but after the disastrous interventions of recent years are reluctant to do more than impose sanctions. Indeed, what can they do?

They could do as King Hezekiah did several thousand years ago, when the threat came from Nineveh and he knew his own small country hadn’t the power to resist an all out attack. He went to God. He threw himself on his knees before God and asked that God would intervene on their behalf. And God did.

In these days when a black tsunami seems to be gaining momentum, power, and is headed our way, as a Christian I place my hope and trust in the Prince of Peace and the Light of the World. I call on Jesus to penetrate the darkness with the light of his truth and to speak the words of power which he uttered on the Sea of Galilee, ‘Peace, be still’. I expect to see the approaching tsunami collapse, subside, and for peace to be restored.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. God does not want us to crouch in fear but to walk in faith. He is an Almighty Father, a powerful Lord, whose very essence is love. Put your trust in him today, and stay alert to notice the differences that makes to the smaller tsunamis in your life.