The Hope For TomorrowSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: We are oftentimes apprehensive of our future. Let us submit our lives wholly to Jesus, our Saviour who had walked in a similar path and has overcome the concern about tomorrow. He will take up our responsibilities. "For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off." (Proverbs 23:18; Jeremiah 31:17)
We need a hope to live in this world. But certain things prevent us from leading such a hopeful life.
Job, the man of God says, "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope" (Job 7:6). Job suffered without the hope for tomorrow. His condition was so pathetic. He lost his beloved children, his wealth, the love and comfort of his wife, and his health too deteriorated. Alas! He had no hope in life at all. This is the nature of worldly life. We are also apprehensive of our future.
Once when Peter saw Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee, he said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You by walking on the sea." Jesus said, "Come." Peter got down from the boat to walk on the water and held him and he was delighted as he started walking focussing his goal, that is, Jesus. But within a few moments, when the wind became boisterous, he was filled with unwanted fears and began to sink. He cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately stretched forth his hand, caught him and said, "O, you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:23-31).
Yes, it was fear that made Peter lose his faith. Similarly, many of us lose our faith and sink on seeing the storms of life. Many people, because of their concern for tomorrow, lose their hope in life and they are terrified.
Apostle St.Paul writes, "Jesus Christ is our hope" (1 Timothy 1:1). Jesus came into this world in human form and walked in the same paths that we walk today. The Holy Scripture says that He was well aware that He had to offer His life as a sacrifice to all of creation. That grief worried Him.
Apostle Paul also says that Jesus had offered up prayers and supplications with vehement cries and tears (Hebrews 5:7). He taught the people and healed them during the day, but in the nights He went to the Mount of Olives and prayed with grief (John 8:1,2). So He knows about our concerns for tomorrow very well. That is why, He did not succumb to that concern of tomorrow and persevered in His mission till the end.
He said, "Father, not what I will, but what You will" (Mark 14:36) and so saying He gained victory over the death that was going to come upon Him. The Holy Scripture says that Lord Jesus Christ has begotten us again to a living hope through His resurrection. This verse explains clearly that for us to live each day, He is our living hope.
My dear friend, the Lord tells to you and me not to suffer in hopelessness. He says, "Return to the stronghold, You prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you" (Zechariah 9:12).
Why should we worry concerning tomorrow? Let us submit our lives wholly to Jesus who had walked in a similar path and has overcome the concern about tomorrow. He will take up our responsibilities.
Prayer:
Loving Lord Jesus,
Being the Son of the Living God You came in this world in the form of man. You had all the qualities of a man except sin and You lived an ordinary life. You know my daily needs. I thank You for fulfilling my needs at the right time. Help me to not worry about my needs for tomorrow. Take control over me and You guide me in my day-to-day life. I pray, surrendering myself to You.
Amen. |