Rejoice in Hope

By Rev. Timothy J. Scharr, District President

Hope keeps people going, yet it is not easy to discern exactly what that hope entails. New years are filled with hope. Perhaps this is the year bad habits will be shed. Important milestones may be reached. Usually it is the confident desire that something desirable is going to happen. A wish may come true. An election year is filled with nebulous promises of hope to be realized should a particular candidate take office.

The absence of hope leads to despair. When a situation is hopeless it appears beyond salvage. When a patient is told there is no hope death is near.

Christian hope is never vague, obscure or nebulous. It is always sure and certain anchored in Jesus Christ. Advent teaches us to look beyond Jesus’ first coming Bethlehem to His second coming on the Last Day. Christian hope radiates from the open tomb of Jesus Christ. He lives; you live also. In Baptism you were joined to both His death and resurrection. When Jesus comes He will transform your lowly body to be like His glorious body by the power that enables Him to subdue all things to Himself (Philippians 3:20). Earthly hope ends with death. Christian hope never dies for it transcends time and the grave.

“Rejoice in Hope” is the theme for the 2012 Convention of the Southern Illinois District next month. Knowing the outcome of life in this world Christians have hope which enables them to face whatever may come their way. If the world ends in 2012 as watchers of the Mayan calendar fear, we have nothing to make us afraid. Christian hope leads us to rejoice at the coming of Jesus. His coming brings our redemption.

Should the Lord delay His coming beyond our lifetimes there is still no reason to fret, worry or become anxious. The Lord remains firmly in control of heaven and earth and all that they contain. In Romans 12:12, our convention theme verse, we have practical tips to leads us through anything that comes our way.

Be patient in tribulation; be constant in prayer. No one enjoys suffering when it comes. Neither do they like being persecuted for doing what is right. Jesus says that we are blessed when these things happen (Matthew 5:10-12).

When trouble comes your way, calmly entrust your burdens to the Lord, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Rejoice in hope knowing that these afflictions are momentary compared to the glory to be revealed in you when Christ returns (2 Corinthians 5:16-18). Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

The solutions to the issues confronting the Christian Church at this time are really quite simple. It begins with believing that the Lord is the Triune God we confess Him to be in the Creeds. He is the maker of heaven and earth, your Redeemer and Sanctifier. Faith is taking God at His word. What faith is to the past, hope is to the future. The Lord who has begun a good work in you will bring it completion in the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). This single verse combines faith and hope into one. The Lord will see you through, whatever the circumstances.

Rejoice! God keeps His Word.