The Rudder

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."

Ah yes, a line from one of those classic songs from the 1800's. Today especially I know first hand how tempting it can be to wallow in our circumstances. They say that 30% of the US is Under-employed or unemployed, in between jobs and struggling to make ends meet.

That one line points out my error. Many times, I try to build my hope on what I can do, what I can bring to the table. I tend to look at my circumstances, and think there is no way out. On my own, that is true. The song goes on to say, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."

1 Peter 1:3-7 (The Message)

3-5What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.
6-7I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

Due to recent income challenges, I find myself on shifting ground, and my emotions are suffering from that strain. "Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven." That's a promise, and He's never gone back on His promises has He?

When I put my hope in Christ, and remember the promises he's made, the obstacles in my life don't seem as menacing. I know God stands with me through everything and my future is secure.

Are you in the middle of circumstances that make you feel weary, frustrated, and maybe even hopeless? Take time every day, maybe even every hour, to focus on your relationship with Christ and the hope he promises.