Hope again 

Micah member Nana Dwomoh reassures us that it is possible to hope again this Christmas, and in 2022

For the past two years we’ve been in the midst of a global pandemic and, whether we believe in Christ or not, at some point we’ve all experienced a sense of hopelessness.  Now more than ever it may be difficult for us to want to even dare to hope for better days. But today, I want to encourage you, as we approach Christmas and head into a New Year.

I want our sense of hope to be ignited, and for us to hope again.
 
Now you may say, “Nana, that’s easier said than done!”, and I would agree. But on this occasion I’m not talking about the wishful, crossing of fingers kind of hope we ordinarily think of: “I hope I pass the exam,” or “I hope it's sunny today”.The hope I speak of is biblical hope.
 

Hope, or expectation?

We live in a world where we have no real assurance or guarantee that the situations we hope will change actually will. We just ‘hope for the best’. But, as John Piper writes: “Biblical hope not only desires something good for the future — it expects it to happen. It not only expects it to happen — it is confident that it will happen.” 
 
When we stand on biblical hope we are standing on the Word of God (the Bible) which is our anchor. We’re standing on His promises, and we wait with expectation and remind ourselves of His faithfulness to fulfil each and every word.
 

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11(NKJV)

 
Understand, though, that biblical hope is not an escape from reality or from the problems we encounter here on earth. We will still have our challenges to face, but when we base our hope on His Word things begin to shift. Our thoughts, words and actions begin to change and align with what He has declared. A deeper work takes place within us.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12(ESV)
 

God of hope

In whatever area of our lives that we're facing challenges we can rest in the knowledge that God is the source of all hope. He is the God of hope.
 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Roman 15:13(ESV)
 

Time and time again we see the men and women of the Bible who hoped against hope.  They did not look at what was possible, based on their own efforts. They looked and saw what was possible when trusting in God. His Word is evidence of what He has done before and can do again! 
 
So today I say, Hope again!

Hope again in that dream that He has laid upon your heart. Hope again in what God has promised you about your marriage, your business and your children's salvation. Remember He says, “… for my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways.” Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)  Let’s wait expectantly, knowing that God will honour His promises.
 

Christ – our living hope

As we count down the days until Christmas we tend to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season. At times forget that this is a time when we are to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. God gave us the greatest ever gift we could ever want. He saw that humanity needed saving and rescued all of mankind from the hopeless situation we were in.
 
The birth of Jesus Christ is our living hope, and He is still alive! He came, died and rose again and knowing Him gives us a joy that the world cannot take away; a peace that surpasses all understanding.
 
If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, today is the day that you can. Take this moment - whether at home, at work or reading in your quiet time - to reflect on where you find yourself. You may have placed your hope in the wrong things and still do not have the joy and peace you desire.

God says: “For I know the plans I have for you … They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT). He wants to give you a fresh perspective on the plans He has for your future, He wants you to hope again. All you need to do is to “openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”. Romans 10:9 (NLT)
 
If you have openly declared and believed in your heart today, we would love to hear from you and help you on your journey with Christ. Please email us at info@micah.org.uk  and we’d be happy to help you. 

Our Season of Hope message series is available here on our website, or on YouTube (Micah Church London), where you can click the bell icon to be notified about our latest messages.