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

We are seeing an increase in infectious disease around the world from sexually transmitted disease, 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 “never before” to new strains of fevers and flu’s.

Right now it’s the Coronavirus.

Now, 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.

But there is a hope that exceeds the habits and hang-ups, and that this a hope that only the Lord God can give. But 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 the Lord 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 to God’s word, way, and will.

In a nutshell, hope will exceed our hang-ups when we love and pursue God with the whole of our being instead of loving and pursuing the world.

“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).

Therefore, there is hope for our future, and that is Jesus Christ! He is our living hope because He’s not dead but is alive.