After watching the Presidential election debate last week my heart dropped.
With a sickened feeling in my stomach I prayed, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Just get me outta here. I don’t want to face the future of what is happening in this country, regardless of who is in Washington.”
I was reminded once again, that when all is well in my world and country and neighborhood and family, I get quite comfortable too. And I forget this world is not my home. Yet, how I begin to long for heaven again when it looks like everything is going to hell.
Then the Lord whispered to my heart: Where is your hope?
Forgive me, Lord Jesus, my hope is not in the man — or woman — who will lead this country.
My hope is not in the next U.S. Supreme Court justice.
My hope is not in the economy or how the stock market is doing or how my retirement accounts are faring.
My hope is not in my immune system or health, or a coming vaccine for the Coronavirus.
My hope is not even in when Disneyland will re-open and what that will mean for my precious daughter, a career Disney employee whose dream job has been put on hold because of all the crud going on in this country.
My hope is in Jesus who is still on the throne. My hope is in the sovereign God who “puts down one and exalts another” (Psalm 75:6-7). That means God is ultimately in control of who rules from China, Russia, or Washington D.C. As Job said, after He “saw” God’s sovereignty over all the troubles in His life: “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:5).
Thank you, Jesus, that the future — our future — is completely in Your hands. Thank You that You are bigger than what is happening in this country (and all over the world) in 2020. No pandemic, political process, government mandates, economy, or moral condition of a country is beyond Your control, nor takes You by surprise. Calm my anxious heart with the truth that: “from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:2).
Who and what are you hoping in? Take a deep breath, my friend, and realize that if you belong to Jesus, this world is not your home. Yes, we must vote according to our convictions, and we can still make a difference while we’re on this earth when we live with an eternal mission — to shine like stars in the sky and be a light amidst the darkness of these times (Philippians 2:15) and bring as many people as possible home with us to Jesus.
Our Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). Live like a citizen of heaven, one with an eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1). Live like one whose hope is in the King of Heaven and the King of your heart — not the kings of this earth.
For a daily calm and reminder that God is in control, read my purse-sized devotional book, God’s Whispers to a Woman’s Heart.
Thank you for this encouraging reminder, I can’t even watch the news anymore because it’s too depressing and discouraging! As soon as I finished reading this message from you the hymn “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” started “playing” in my head:
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace; in ev’ry high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. His oath, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood; when all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found, dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
(written by Edward Mote, in 1834). ♥ Thank you Cindi
You’re welcome, Terri. Yes, Christ is our Immovable Rock, not an ever-dipping and rising Rollercoaster.
I love this post. I feel so many of the same things.
Thank you for this timely post. I will take the time to delve into all of these scriptures. Thank you for this reminder Cindi. This is not our home.
Hi my friend. So good to hear from you, as always. Yes, immerse yourself in Scripture (as I know you already do)…there we gain wisdom, priorities, perspective and a deeper longing for Heaven.
Thank you so much Cindi, I love this reminder.
You hit the nail squarely on the head, Cindi! Great blog!
Amen!👒 Calm my anxious heart with the truth that: “from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” I do not trust the sweetest frame…. but wholly trust in Jesus name! After a coworker tested positive for COVID-19. I became very anxious for scheduling an appointment. Once again I’m reminded He is in control! Thank you for this post is always a blessing for my soul, at the right moment 👒 God bless His people with His Peace…..thank you Cindy🕊
I truly enjoyed this, and I agree that our hope is in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Gods Promises and Blessings are so true, never fail, forever Loving, and I thank Him for His Grace, His Mercy, His Love, that He gives so freely through His Son Jesus Christ. Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering,since He who promised is FAITHFUL. HEBREWS 10:23
I have just discovered your books and now your blog. I am 82 yrs old and have been a widow for 20+ years. Walking Alone has been a great challenge for me, and finally, I have found you and your deep understanding of that need in my soul that has been my search for so long. Thank you Cindi.
I have just ordered two more of your books. I have always known my answers were with God, I simply did not know how to find them…….Blessings to you, Shirley
Thank you, Shirley. I’m so glad you were encouraged through my book, When Women Walk Alone, and you are now following my blogs and continuing to read more of my books. Blessings to you for encouraging my heart with your comment.