Life’s challenges may sometimes seem overwhelming. Despite the circumstances, you may have been seeking a solution for years, willing to try almost anything, yet without success. In those moments, hopelessness may creep in. However, it is crucial to stay persistent in hope, trusting that God has a plan.
In this episode of Biblical Talks, SD and Lady V explore an example of this in John 5:1-15 from the New Living Translation. This scripture gives the account of a man paralyzed for thirty-eight years, lying at the pool of Bethesda.
It’s often said that if you’ve reached a certain age without encountering problems, you haven’t lived long enough. Life inevitably brings various struggles. But what truly matters is how we address them. Thus, it is during those times that we need spiritual refreshment and a word of hope and life.
In this installment of Biblical Talks, SD and Lady V delve into Psalm 22:1-2 and Psalm 23:1-6 from the New Living Translation. These passages reveal King David’s struggles and his methods for coping with the issues that brought him great distress. The entire book of Psalms reflects the various peaks and valleys of life.
So, where did David get his spiritual refreshment? Where did he go to get a word of hope and life? David sought spiritual refreshment through prayer and meditation on God’s Word, as reflected in the Psalms. He turned to God to receive words of hope and life, finding solace and strength in his faith.
In general, most people fit into one of two categories: the hopeless or the hopeful. The question then is how can a hopeful person become a prisoner of hope? Well, I’m so glad you asked.
Hence, the title — To the Prisoner of HOPE. Because some people may not realize they have become just that–a prisoner to their hopes.
Thus, before we go any further, let’s look at some definitions for ‘hope’ and ‘prisoner’ so that we are all on the same page. Hope means to look forward to something with desire and reasonable confidence. A prisoner is a person legally held in prison for the punishment of crimes committed. Also, a prisoner can be a person who feels confined or trapped by a situation or set of circumstances.
The oxygen of the believer is reliance upon the LORD. Our total trust in Him is vital to our survival and our walk with Christ. Having faith in God’s guidance and total trust in HIS will keeps us on the right path in life.
I recall growing up hearing the older folks singing about life’s troubles, and getting to the sweet ole by-and-by. It gave me the impression that the only time God would show HIS goodness was after death and not in this life—which is simply not true.
In Revelation chapter 21, we read a description of the New Jerusalem, which is the new city of God and HIS future home for HIS people. It is, no doubt, the goodness of the LORD for the FUTURE.
And, in John, chapter 14, Jesus says, “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trustin Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also”(John 14:1-3, AMP).
Now, that’s Good News! The Word of God lets believers know that Jesus is confirming that eternal life with HIM, is secured by believing in HIM. And not only that, there is special preparation going into our joining Jesus in eternity.
But, let’s look to HIS goodness for TODAY. In Psalm 27:13-14, here we find David, going through some type of trouble.
Spreading hope to our military is an absolute must. For the majority of Americans, the reason is quite clear. The United States affords its citizens a luxury that many countries of the world do not. And that luxury is freedom. As citizens, we have freedom of religion, thought, and expression. In other words, we are free to live our lives as we so choose.
Now, this is possible because of those who served and are serving in one of the five branches of our military. They put their lives on the line to protect our constitutional rights from all threats.
Of course, not just anyone is willing to put their life on the line for the rights of people they don’t know. For that reason alone, we should commend our servicemen and women.
