Today’s 333 Devotional: “When Hope Exceeds Hang-ups”

We are seeing an increase in infectious disease around the world from sexually transmitted diseases, influenza, measles, tuberculosis, and the common cold. We are also seeing new strains of old classics like pneumonia, hepatitis, malaria, plague, not to mention the new and deadly AIDs, and Ebola virus. It seems like every year we’re hit with a new “never before” strains of fevers and flues, and we begin to fear.

But, as bad as these are, they pale in comparison to lost hope. We live in a world and amongst people who have lost all hope and are turning to false antibiotics and remedies to heal the depression and despair that comes with it. We are turning to this new pill, that new pleasure, along with new habits, hang-ups, and addictions to stop the hurt.

There is a hope that exceeds the habits and hang-ups, and it’s a hope that only the Lord God can give.

However, such a hope only happens …

• When we lay aside our present selfish desires for the joy and future hope of heaven and an eternity with the Lord.
• When we stop looking for that new pill or philosophy as the answer to our problems and look to God who is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
• When we no longer allow the electronics of this age to waste our time in vain pursuits, and begin to live in accordance with God’s word, way, and will.

Hope will exceed our fears and hang-ups when we love and pursue God with the whole of our being instead of pursuing the world, which we are commanded not to love (1 John 2:15).

The Lord says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

There’s hope for our future, Jesus Christ! He is our living hope because He’s not dead, He’s Alive.