Hope In God

By Rev. Craig A. Brown

Jeremiah 17:5-8 reads, “Thus says the Lord, Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord. For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is in the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.” (KJV) 

Jeremiah warns if you place your confidence in man, the economy, your expertise, your strategies, you shall be useless and worthless like the heath in a desert, a naked tree which is the product of barren ground.

A number of years ago researchers performed an experiment to see the effect hope has on those undergoing hardship. Two sets of laboratory rats were placed in separate tubs of water. The researchers left one set in the water and found that within an hour they had all drowned. 

The other rats were periodically lifted out of the water and then returned. When that happened, the second set of rats swam for over 24 hours. Why? Not because they were given a rest, but because they suddenly had hope!

Those animals somehow hoped that if they could stay afloat just a little longer, someone would reach down and rescue them. If hope holds such power for unthinking rodents, how much greater should its effect be on our lives.

Place no confidence in your ability to navigate your way through this economic storm. Don’t trust in your own intellect and the arm of the flesh to get you through this difficult season for they can’t offer you successful strategies or comfort.  If you hope in God, you’ll flourish like a tree who’s always green, whose leaf doesn’t wither. You shall not cease from yielding fruit in holiness and good works. You shall be fixed in peace and not anxious during a season of hardship. Keep swimming. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep looking up because there is hope in God.

Have a purpose driven day.

P.S. Always remember…worship is a lifestyle, not a momentary experience.